Leopard rescued from drowning in deep well in India


A wildlife charity working with India's forestry department on Thursday pulled off an ingenious rescue of a leopard which became stuck in a 30-foot well.

A farmer from Yadavwadi village in Belha in India's Otur range walked to the well as usual on Thursday to switch on the pump and was amazed to find the big cat staring up at him.

He called forest department officers who in turn alerted the charity Wildlife SOS which manages a specialist leopard rescue centre in Junnar.

While the Wildlife SOS team made their way to the village, forest department officers lowered a wooden ladder into the well to give the stricken creature a temporary platform on which to stand.

When the Wildlife SOS team arrived, they used ropes to lower a cage into the well with its open door angled towards the leopard.

The seven-year-old female, perhaps sensing that the cage was her best chance of survival, quickly hopped in and was hauled to safety.

The leopard was taken to Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar for observation and any required treatment.

Dr. Ajay Deshmukh, Senior Veterinarian at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre said:

“The leopard is a female, a little over 7 years old. The animal is exhausted and in severe shock because of the ordeal, and will be kept under observation for a few days until she is deemed fit for release.”