Orphan leopard cub arrives in Nandankanan

Bhubaneswar,May 24 (UNI) An abandoned 20-day old male leopard cub, sighted by two villagers in Baghnadi Reserved Forests last week, finally arrived at the Nandankanan Zoological Park here.

The 1 feet 7inches long, from tail to head, cub weighing 1.15 kg was handed over to the zoo by the Phulbani forest division.

The villagers sighted the cub in Baghnadi Reserved Forests when they were inside the forests collectng kendu leaves last.

They looked for the mother but did not find her. Apprehending that the stray cub might be attacked by the predator ,the villagers brought the cub to their village and handed over the animal to a former sarpanch.

Soon the Range Officer, Phiringia, and staff were deputed by the DFO Phulbani to rescue the leopard cub from the remote village of Kandhamal District.

According to Nandankanan Zoo Director Ajit Kumar Pattnaik the cub is weak but active and has been housed at cottage No.1 of the Park for its exclusive hand rearing.

The cottage surrounded by lush green ambience would stimulate its natural behaviour. Nandankanan Zoological Park, Mr Pattnaik said, has good experience of rearing the orphan leopard cub.

One of the most experienced animal keepers Bijaya Majhi,the Zoo Director said would act as the foster mother. He has got a rich experience of rearing the orphaned leopard cubs in the past.

The cub, Mr Pattnaik said, was suffering from somach problems but with the administration of medicine the it is better.

The cub, he said is now on Lactogen-1. A set of sterile feeding equipment have also been arranged for the baby leopard while the zoo vets were keeping a constant watch on the animal.

The cub, Mr Pattnaik said, is gradually recovering from the stress and is being kept under strict vigil.

UNI DP KK DB2015