Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) in western Maharashtra is currently home to 37 leopards rescued from situations of human-wildlife conflict, with Veer being one among them. It was in 2020, near a village of Ahmednagar district, when the sudden and unexpected presence of a leopard raised an alarm among local residents. Wildlife SOS and the forest officials were beckoned to address the chaos — their aim was to avoid any negative repercussions for the large cat. Veer was found with all four of his canines broken, and a leopard with damaged teeth was sure to struggle as a predator in the wild. His hunt to seek easy prey for survival was bound to increase the chances of his encounters with humans, leading to further conflict. A carefully considered decision was therefore made to ensure Veer was given a secure refuge, which is when the vulnerable leopard was safely brought to MLRC under long-term care.
Wildlife SOS had collaborated with the Maharashtra Forest Department in 2007 to establish and operate MLRC in Junnar for the upkeep of distressed wild cats. This rehabilitation facility is located on the Manikdoh Dam Road in Junnar, Pune, where leopard density is high, and sightings of them amidst the expanding agricultural fields is rapidly rising.
MLRC offers a picturesque landscape for saved leopards to freely roam around. One can hear the rustling of bushes, within which big cats coated with rosettes are perfectly camouflaged. While spotting these cats can be a challenging task, certain individuals who have made sure that our resident felines are looked after can be easily seen — the caregivers and the veterinary staff. Veer has received their constant and dedicated attention in the last four years, which has resulted in him showcasing his inborn vigour and vitality.
When rescued, Veer was a young leopard of nearly two years of age, but he was old enough to have a strong grasp of his wild traits. Today as a six-year-old youth, he lives up to his name as a confident leopard that has a heroic stance! Occupying one of the corners inside his triangular-shaped field, Veer can be found sitting in his signature pose that boasts royalty. The lively leopard’s enclosure includes abundant vegetation, several wooden logs and a heightened platform as well. The latter serves as an imperial seat for Veer, on which he indulges in a prolonged self-grooming session before resting.
Laying focus on his long-term care, our team has ensured that Veer’s surroundings resemble the forests he grew up in, so that his inherent, wild instincts remain intact. He has been observed spending most of his time in the day scaling tall trees, scratching its barks, and basking under the sun. These routine activities also reveal his vibrant mischief! Veer topples over the vertical wooden poles in his enclosure to make sure each enrichment is successfully dislodged, no matter how firmly they were installed.
While he is full of pep, Veer, much like his peers, excels in a disappearing act as well! Our staff photographers claim that it is quite a feat to catch a glimpse of Veer when he goes into hiding. But there is one way to bring the elusive cat out of his shell… the smell of food! Veer devours nutritious, protein-rich meals five times every week — a pattern that replicates the amount a wild leopard would need for his natural appetite.
A recipient of immense love and care by his caregivers, Veer leads a healthy and spirited life. He is an active leopard and has formed faith in our team that delivers his daily needs. Like all leopards that are under our care, Veer too receives routine deworming medicine and essential vaccinations to combat any disease or infection. As we celebrate Veer as our ‘Leopard Of The Month’, we are reminded of the responsibility we all share in preserving wildlife. You can contribute towards the care of rescued leopards at MLRC by donating here.
