Pregnant leopardess dies after falling in open well in Aurangabad

A pregnant five-year-old leopardess died of her injuries after being rescued from an open well in a village in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district on Thursday, officials said

Representation pic

A pregnant five-year-old leopardess died of her injuries after being rescued from an open well in a village in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district on Thursday, officials said. According to veterinarians, there were possibly two litters in the womb. The leaopardess was rescued by the state forest department and animal welfare organisation Wildlife SOS.

Also read - Photos: 17-year-old female leopard Radha dies at Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Also read: How many leopards are there in Mumbai? Headcount begins in SGNP

The animal was brought to the Wildlife SOS' Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar where it was kept under observation. "The critically injured leopardess was kept under observation but despite all efforts to provide treatment, the animal died due to severe stress and internal bleeding," said a statement from Wildlife SOS.

Also read: Yet another leopard dies in a hit-and-run

Also read - Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Parks's oldest leopard Rani dies at age 18

The well was nearly 40 feet deep and located on private property bordering a vast sugarcane field. "The leopard had injured herself while trying to stay afloat which eventually led to internal bleeding," said Ajay Deshmukh, a senior Veterinarian at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre. According to reports, hundreds of leopards died by falling in open wells in Maharashtra in the past few years.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!