Forest rangers rescue leopard in Junagadh

Jungadh (Gujarat), Nov. 1 : A leopard that had fallen into an open well in Jungadh district of Gujarat was rescued after a three hour-long operation.

A rescue team of forest rangers, including a veterinarian, was rushed to the spot.

According to sources, the leopard managed to stay afloat in the 40 feet deep well before being tranquillised and slowly lifted up in a net.

'The moment the news of a leopard stuck in an open well, 40 to 50 feet deep reached us, an equipped rescue team was rushed to the site of the incident. Rescuers pulled the leopard out using the net and subsequently tranquillised the animal for transportation,' said Dr. Arshi Wagh, Veterinarian, Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh.

Later, the rescued leopard was shifted to the Sakkarbaug Zoo for medical treatment.

Incidents of animals trespassing into villages is not uncommon here. And this has become a matter of concern for the local population.

'Such incidents have become frequent, now for the past seven to eight years. It is a matter of concern for us, of course. We duly inform the forest rangers but reports from our side are met with indifference from their end. The risk escalates when irrigation goes on during late hours,' noted Pravinbhai, a farmer, Junagadh.

Development pressures and encroachment into forest areas have also brought humans and the wild cats into conflict.

--ANI