A Peek Into The Life Of Serene Sundari

There have been many incidents in Maharashtra where a leopard mother leaves her cubs in sugarcane fields to protect them from any danger while she goes for a hunt. These cubs, hidden under dense stalks, are chanced upon by farmers harvesting the field. When the mother leopard does not return for a prolonged period, rigorous attempts are made by forest officials and Wildlife SOS to reunite the cubs with her so that they can safely return to their natural habitat. In those unfortunate cases where despite repeated attempts, the mother leopard does not arrive to reclaim her cubs, urgent attention needs to be given to young ones for their health and survival. Such was the case of Sundari, who was just four-months-old when relentless efforts to reunite her with her mother yielded no results, leaving her lost and helpless.

At MLRC, every leopard is provided with a sizable portion of nutritional and fresh food five times a week, and Sundari ensures that she finishes every single morsel. After eating her meal joyfully, she makes her way back to the same wooden platform, this time to take a nap that lasts for more than a while. 

Since their enclosure is covered with thick vegetation all over, it becomes a challenging game for our caregivers and photographers to try and find Sundari, Rani and Lila when they cleverly camouflage amidst the bushes! 

There have been many cases of leopard cubs being left lonely, making them unable to fend for themselves. The mother leopards are missing because more often than not, they are victims of human-wildlife conflict or gaping open wells found in their domain. These make leopards in the wild vulnerable to unforeseen threats. You can play a vital role in our wildlife conservation initiatives by making a donation.