Vitthal
Year of arrival: 2009
Age at the time of rescue: Approximately 4 years old
Sex: Male
Facility: Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC)
Favourite activities: Climbing log and platform enrichments
Special needs: Since Vitthal has a missing paw, his enrichments are designed to suit him.
Background: Vitthal was a free-ranging leopard, till he fell victim to a snare trap planted in a small village at the fringes of a forest in Maharashtra. His right paw got trapped in the crude snare, which tightened further with his every move. This caused the leopard extreme agony. On hearing about his condition, Wildlife SOS rushed to the spot. Every minute from hereon was critical, as Vitthal was in dire need of immediate medical intervention. | READ MORE ABOUT VITTHAL
VITTHAL'S STORY
Vitthal was a victim of the snare trap, a lethal hunting device that has become a recurrent threat to wildlife in India. His right paw got caught in the crude metal snare and he showed extremely anguish when he was found. Vitthal was rescued and immediately shifted to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre for medical intervention, but it was not an easy transition, given his physical weakness and the mental stress he had been facing since this gory incident.
Our priority was to ensure that his severed paw was disinfected and sutured to prevent secondary infections. In the weeks that followed his arrival at the centre, Vitthal’s injuries had begun to heal and we were relieved to see positive signs of recovery. It took some time, but Vitthal gracefully adapted to his new life. Soon he was climbing up the double-storeyed platforms and running around his enclosure, taking in the new smells and marking his territory!
Our team decided to introduce the Vitthal to another blind, male leopard who had arrived at the centre named Ganesh, to see how they would interact with each other. With great relief and pleasure, we watched Vitthal get along extremely well with Ganesh. The two bonded instantly and are inseparable, and they even share an enclosure. Vitthal leads a happy life in Ganesh’s heartwarming company, and continues to receive dedicated care by our team.