In January of last year, a tiny, wide-eyed leopard cub — no bigger than a housecat — was found curled up near Maharashtra’s Nerle village in Sangli district. Just 15 days old at the time, she was much too young to have been left alone, and far too delicate for the harsh wilderness. The Sangli forest officials made every attempt to reunite the infant with her mother. However, when hope dimmed, the decision had to be made to bring the little one to a safe place where she would be nurtured with care — the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC).
From the moment she arrived, Meera wore a quiet innocence in her eyes and a touch of wonder in her every step. Her baby frame, peppered with soft golden fur and fading rosettes, radiated curiosity. In the wild, leopard cubs depend on their mothers to learn crucial survival skills, but with no one to teach her, Meera’s tender life would have been at a great risk.
At MLRC, she was hand-reared gently, an essential protocol we follow for the first month for a rescued and orphaned leopard cub’s life. Soon, Meera was surrounded by a dense and leafy environment that bears a close resemblance to a forest where the little one was quick to adapt to.
Leopards are known for their fierce independence, often patrolling their territories alone. While Meera, now over a year old, is growing up to match this textbook description, her childlike instincts are apparent in her activities and she frequently interacts with rescued leopards in her neighbourhood. At the break of dawn, when most at MLRC are still sleeping, Meera takes a grand, theatrical stretch, following which she rolls on her back with her legs in the air!
Meera has turned a cosy corner of her enclosure, complete with sturdy wooden logs, into her personal playground. She leaps and perches on tree branches with the graceful balance of a natural acrobat, often pausing to scan her surroundings or chase drifting leaves with kitten-like glee. Ever curious, she’ll sniff out hidden treats tucked cleverly around her space, approaching each as a challenge with quiet determination. And when she succeeds, there’s a visible flick of pride in her tail, as if to say “mission accomplished”!
While wild leopards often rely on growls, roars, and hisses to draw boundaries and assert dominance, Meera can often be heard using an endearing call. She communicates through a soft, friendly sound called a chuff — a gentle puff of air through her nostrils. It’s not loud or threatening; instead, it’s a warm and welcoming “hello” that is akin to a happy purr in cats.
Next to Meera’s enclosure lives Veer, another active leopard at MLRC. The two seemed to have formed a strong companionship. They often mirror each other’s movements, pacing the length of their boundary walls in synchrony, or pausing at the same time to gaze up at a bird flying overhead.
Sometimes, Meera halts mid-play and sits quietly, her eyes following Veer as he clambers up a tree or prowls with purpose. It may not be an interaction in the traditional sense of the wild, but their unique connection surely adds joy to their day. Their bond, though subtle, is beautiful in its simplicity.
Meera continues to grow healthier and stronger under the watchful eyes of our expert veterinarians and caregivers. Just like the leopards under care, she receives routine deworming treatment and booster vaccines to keep her safe and protected. These wellness checks help us monitor her growth, track her weight, and maintain the shine in her coat that reflects her digestive health. Caregivers never miss to note the wonderful sparkle in her eyes, because that is what speaks volumes about her inner well-being.
Unlike many leopards who can be quick to react defensively when faced with unfamiliar objects, Meera shows remarkable calm. Whenever she was introduced to new enrichments, she never pounced or panicked. Instead, she moved ahead to investigate, with her eyes alert and nose twitching. The little feline was beginning to gain trust in her caregivers as they provided her with fun enrichments to boost her natural instincts, and watching her enthusiastically explore each has left our team so smitten with her.
Young Meera’s personality is nothing short of a whirlwind! One moment, she takes the role of a stealthy predator, creeping through the grass with laser focus, ears low, tail swaying. In the next, she’s goofing around, tumbling over as she chases a fluttering butterfly. Her energy is dynamic, her curiosity endless. And just when our team thinks they’ve got her figured out, she surprises them yet again!
If you too are as enamored by this lively leopard as we are, join us and become a part of Meera’s present and future! Support the long-term care for rescued leopards at MLRC by clicking here.
Feature image © Akash Dolas
