Leopard cub rescued from 30-foot well in Maharashtra’s Junnar Forest Range

Acknowledging the emergency, the villagers immediately contacted the forest department, which, in turn, called Wildlife SOS for assistance.

A female leopard (Panthera pardus) cub, approximately 4 months old, was rescued and safely released back into the wild after she accidentally fell into a 30-foot-deep open well in Ghangaldare village, located in the Junnar Forest Range of Pune district in Maharashtra. The incident took place in a forested area, prompting swift action from the Maharashtra Forest Department and Wildlife SOS.

Residents of Ghangaldare village in Junnar taluka came across the leopard cub trapped and perched on a small ledge above the water inside an open well on the village outskirts.

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Acknowledging the emergency, the villagers immediately contacted the forest department, which, in turn, called Wildlife SOS for assistance.

A three-person rescue team from Wildlife SOS, along with a team from the Junnar Forest Division, quickly arrived at the location, equipped to handle the sensitive situation. Due to the cub's young age and the natural topography of the terrain, the team decided against using a cage trap, which could have caused further distress to the animal.

Instead, the rescuers employed a creative and non-invasive approach by constructing a temporary stairway out of sturdy branches and logs. Despite some reluctance initially, the cub began climbing the natural structure. Upon reaching the top, she darted back into the dense forest, reuniting with her natural habitat.

Dr. Avinash Visalkar, Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS, stated, "Open wells pose a serious risk of injury to animals that fall in. When we reached the location, the leopard cub was clearly distressed, but thankfully, she was unharmed and in good health."

Smita Rajhans, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Junnar Forest Division, also commented, "This successful rescue displays seamless coordination between the Maharashtra Forest Department and Wildlife SOS. Our shared commitment to protecting wildlife continues to make a real difference in the region."

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder & CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, "This rescue highlights the power of local vigilance and collaboration in saving wildlife. Open wells remain a significant threat to animals in forested regions, and we're grateful for the quick thinking of the villagers and the forest department's commitment to action."