By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 18 Dec: The death of a leopard undergoing treatment at the Chidiyapur Rescue Centre in Haridwar today has created a stir within the Forest Department, prompting the senior officials to rush to the facility and seek a detailed report on the circumstances leading to the animal’s demise. According to officials, the leopard’s condition deteriorated suddenly this morning and, a little later, it succumbed to its injuries despite sustained medical care. The carcass has been taken into custody and preparations are underway for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.
The sources in the forest department shared that the leopard had been rescued from the Chidiyapur forest range in February after being found in a grievously injured and helpless condition during a routine patrol by a Forest Department team. Preliminary assessment at the time indicated that the animal had sustained serious injuries during infighting with other leopards in the area, resulting in critical damage to both its eyes. Recognising the severity of its condition, the injured feline was rescued on 6 February and shifted to the Chidiyapur Rescue Centre for specialised veterinary treatment and round-the-clock care.
The forest officials said that the leopard remained under continuous observation and treatment at the centre, but its health had not shown any significant improvement over the past several days. Despite efforts by veterinary experts, its condition worsened abruptly today morning, and it died during the course of treatment. The sudden death led the senior officers of the department to immediately visit the rescue centre and review the treatment records and gather first-hand information from the staff on duty.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Swapnil Anirudh confirmed that the leopard died while undergoing treatment at the Chidiyapur Rescue Centre and said a post-mortem examination was being conducted to determine the precise cause of death. He stated that the animal was estimated to be around seven to eight years old and had suffered severe injuries to both eyes, which had significantly affected its overall health. The DFO added that only after the post-mortem report is received will the exact reason for the leopard’s death be established, and an inquiry into the matter is currently underway.
The officials said the findings of the post-mortem would be crucial in assessing whether the injuries alone led to the leopard’s death or if any underlying complications developed during treatment and that any further action would be taken accordingly.
