With quiet, calculated strides, Avani moves with stealth through a space filled with lush greenery at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC). Attuned to her surroundings, she navigates gracefully to a tree nearby, where a raised platform is placed. Avani’s strong limbs carry her up to it and from here, she keenly observes the expanse of her enclosure.
Avni was rescued in 2020 from a town called Pathardi in Maharashtra, where she and members of a village experienced a severe case of human-leopard conflict. To ensure her safety and prevent any further negative encounters with the locals, she was safely brought to MLRC for long-term care and rehabilitation.
Avani resides in a secure environment resembling her natural habitat that allows her to embrace her wild nature. Her innate adventurer manifests when she scales the different trees in her field and ventures into the hidden nooks and corners, uncovering the secrets of the forested sanctuary. The towering trees provide her with opportunities to practise her climbing skills while also offering an excellent workout for her muscles.
When it is time to rest, Avani settles at the base of a tree, basking in the gentle warmth of the sun. As she relaxes, her glistening brown eyes gaze into the sunlight as it filters through the leaves, casting a splendid mosaic of shadows on the ground.
Master of her sails, Avani fearlessly navigates her surroundings to explore it and is quick to don her natural, elusive mask when she wishes to retreat into quiet solitude. She expertly camouflages herself within the thickets in her enclosure, making it extremely difficult for our proficient photographers to spot her. When the leaves begin to turn brown during the autumn season, her tawny coat with dark rosettes seamlessly blends into the surroundings, allowing her to fade into nature with remarkable ease.
Avani is a healthy and active leopard weighing over 45 kg. Like the other leopards under our care, she consumes a hearty meal of delicious meat on five days every week. As a part of her overall welfare, Avani undergoes a deworming procedure every three months as prescribed by our expert veterinarians. She also receives anti-rabies vaccinations annually.
Avani’s caregivers admire her acute awareness and sharp instincts. Her ears instantly perk up at the faintest rustle in the bushes or the crack of a breaking branch. With a focused sight, she scans her surroundings, ever-ready for any surprise that might emerge from the underbrush.
Avani’s demeanour beautifully encapsulates the natural grace and alertness of a leopard. With a dedicated team at MLRC working tirelessly around the clock, we strive to provide the agile leopard with the care she needs to thrive in her environment. Help support the long-term care of leopards at MLRC so we can continue to provide for these extraordinary animals!
