Injured female leopard in critical condition after rescue in northern India, four bullet wounds discovered
by Aditi VermaA female leopard rescued from a water channel in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir is in critical condition after wildlife officials discovered four bullet wounds in her body, with two bullets lodged near her spine.
The incident took place at Bitar Nullah, a stream located in the Haveli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the video went viral on October 4.
Visuals showed on the banks of a water channel, an injured female leopard lay helpless on a bed of rough stones. Her body appeared weak, with visible distress. The rescue team approached cautiously, using a rope to secure the animal. They worked together, trying to gently maneuver the leopard without causing further harm. The rope was carefully looped around her neck as the team struggled to gain control, taking extra care in their actions since they lacked specialized equipment like a dart gun. The scene was tense, as the team tried their best to ensure the safety of both the animal and themselves amidst the challenging terrain.
The leopard was discovered in a water channel, unable to move its hind legs, which raised immediate concerns about severe internal injuries.
The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) handed the leopard for urgent medical treatment at its Islamabad Wildlife Rescue Center (IWRC). Upon examining X-rays, doctors discovered four bullet wounds in the animal’s body, with two bullets dangerously close to her spine and one near her chest. So far, the medical team has managed to extract one bullet, but the leopard’s condition has worsened in recent days.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the lack of specialized equipment, forcing the team to resort to traditional methods such as using a rope to safely secure the frightened animal. The IWMB continues to monitor the leopard’s condition, though her recovery remains uncertain.