Siliguri, June 20 (IBNS) An adult leopard rode to safety on its own from a reservoir of a tea estate on Wednesday after being supplied logs, plastic nets and ladders by wildlife staff in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
DFO, Darjeeling I, Siddhartha Roy said they lowered ladders, logs, plastic nets and other logistics in anticipation that the trapped big cat would climb up on it from the water body before being drowned in exhaustion and fatigue.
The leopard, whose gender is unclear, was found by the workers of the Haskhoa tea gardens in Bagdogra range and they immediately reported the matter to forest guards.
Roy said they wanted that the leopard should come out on its legs before any physical help from the humans.
He said in past many animals succumbed after being rescued due to injuries external injuries during evacuation.
He said how long the animal was in the water since its falling in the reservoir was not known. But it took over three hours for the animal to understand the situation after ladder, logs and nets were thrown and finally it rode back to land to freedom again, Roy said.
He said the wild animals usually come in the vicinity of tea gardens and human habitation for prey like chicks, goats, cows and other pets.
