Leopard falls into well while searching for water in western India, rescued
by Komal Kashyap
Speaking to Newslions, Range Forest Officer Sanjay Mendhe said Farm owner Vasudev Bhandarkar noticed a group of monkeys making loud noises near the well early in the morning. Upon investigation, he discovered the leopard sitting on a ledge approximately 30 feet deep in the well. He promptly notified the Forest Department Sakoli. Forest department officials swiftly arrived at the scene, including RRT teams from Sakoli, Lakhani, and Bhandara, who began the rescue operation under the guidance of Assistant Conservator of Forests, Roshan Rathod. Present at the scene were RFO Manisha Chauhan from Sakoli and RFO Suraj Gokhale from Lakhani and me.
To ensure the safe rescue of the leopard, area assistants from Sangadi, including Sunil Vaidya, Sunil Khandekar, G. S. Gurbele, Anil Shelke, Sachin Kukde, Tukaram Davkhore, David Meshram, Shivam Meshram, Balaji Kadam, Satish Gite, Girdhar Pakhmode, Ashish Turkar, Nitin Ushi, Seeri Shende, Triveni Gaidhane, Mangala Shahare, Vishal Bhadade, along with officers and employees from Sakoli, Lakhani, and Bhandara Forest Departments were also present.
The team lowered an iron cage into the well via a rope to safely extract the leopard. After diligent efforts, the leopard was successfully captured in the cage. Following its extraction, the leopard was taken to the Sakoli Forest Department office for examination and treatment by the Veterinary Officer. According to the medical report, the leopard has fully recovered and will be discharged soon.
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