Leopard rescued from 60-feet-deep well in Madhya Pradesh

New Delhi: A two-year-old male leopard was rescued from a nearly 60-feet-deep well in Karakwadi village near Bhopal in a night-long operation by a Delhi-based wildlife body and the Madhya Pradesh forest department.

The leopard is currently under observation and will soon be released back to its natural habitat, the Wildlife SoS said.

The wildlife body said a group of children from Karakwani village heard roars echoing from a deep well close to the field where they were playing.

The locals found that a young leopard was trapped inside the 60-foot unused well, after which the forest department and the Wildlife SoS were informed about this incident.

A three-member team led by the Wildlife SOS, accompanied by five forest officials, reached the location and tranquilised the leopard, the wildlife body said.

The animal was then taken out of the well and shifted to Van Vihar National Park for observation.

"The leopard is a healthy male of approximately two years. Physical examination revealed that the animal had sprained its hind limbs during the fall. But, apart from that, there are no injuries. We are providing him with necessary treatment and care," Wildlife SOS veterinarian Amol Narwade said.

Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of the Wildlife SOS, said uncovered wells pose a huge risk not only to wildlife but also to the safety of people.

"As leopards are territorial animals, their chances of survival in the wild reduces if they are released in a different area. It is essential to release them in the vicinity from where they are rescued," Seshamani said.