Dibrugarh, Jan 6: Two leopard cubs, abandoned by their mother, were rescued by locals at Greenwood Tea Estate in eastern Assam’s Dibrugarh district on Tuesday morning.
Forest officials later took both cubs into custody, and a health examination was conducted, which found them to be in good condition.
“At around 10.30 am, the manager of Greenwood Tea Estate informed us about the recovery of two leopard cubs inside the tea garden area. We immediately rushed to the spot and took both cubs into our custody. Their health condition appears to be good. The manager told us that the cubs were lying in a drain inside the tea garden, and locals rescued them,” a forest official from Dibrugarh said.
He added, “The mother leopard had left the cubs and gone somewhere in search of food. The cubs are around two-and-a-half months old. In the evening, we will release them at the same location from where they were recovered.”
The official further explained that mother leopards often leave their cubs temporarily while searching for food. “In many cases, people end up killing leopard cubs out of fear. However, in this instance, we were able to safely take the cubs into our custody, and after a proper health check-up, they will be released back into their natural habitat,” he said.
A local said the cubs were found inside a drain within the tea garden premises. “We immediately informed the garden manager after spotting the cubs. The mother leopard was not present at the time. Leopards regularly venture into tea garden areas, and sightings inside tea estates are quite common. During the night, they often enter nearby human habitations in search of food,” the resident said.
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