Leopard cub rescued from Odisha village

Nayagarh: Villagers of Kadua village under Gania block of Odisha’s Nayagarh district today rescued a 7-8 month-old leopard cub from fragrant screw pine (kewra) bushes on the outskirts of the village.

According to reports, the leopard cub which had strayed into the village in the night from the nearby Banakmunda reserve forest under Gania forest range after being hounded by a pack of pariah dogs had taken shelter in kewra bushes.

Locals on finding dogs barking near the bushes entered it to find a frightened leopard cub hiding in it.

After rescuing the cub measuring about 100cm in length and 48-50cm in height, the villagers reported the incident to Gania Forest Range, following which Forest department officials reached the village and took custody of the animal.

Forest department officials have kept it at the Range office.

“We have done a health check-up of the leopard cub. It’s healthy. We have informed the Chief Conservator about the incident. We are waiting for orders for its relocation,” informed Nayagarh DFO Laxmi Narayan Behera.