A gaur rescued with severe injuries in Kolhapur in 2023 has been successfully released back into the wild this month after nearly two years of intensive treatment and rehabilitation — an uncommon success in wildlife recovery. The animal was released into the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) after being fitted with a radio collar to enable the Forest Department to monitor its movement, habitat use, and post-release behaviour.

The gaur was rescued in September 2023 from Malkapur in Kolhapur district by the Rapid Response Team (RRT) of the Kolhapur forest department. Then, a very young fawn with an infant coat was found with its front left leg trapped in a drainage opening, resulting in a complex limb fracture.