Successful hand-rearing of a newly born orphaned wild common leopard cub (Panthera pardus fusa Linnaeus, 1758) at north Bengal wild animals park, West Bengal: A case study

A newly born wild common leopard cub was rescued under severely distressed conditions and was successfully hand-reared at North Bengal Wild Animals Park, West Bengal till the animal attained good health and was shifted to another facility adjacent to the veterinary hospital of the park. The quantity and type of feed provided were dynamically adjusted based on the cub's nutritional requirements, preferences and health conditions. The present paper sheds light on scientific management and husbandry practice employed, outlines challenges encountered, conservation strategy, and elucidates measures taken to address these challenges facilitating the successful hand-rearing of the leopard cub.