Date:21/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/21/stories/2008122158670200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Panther cub rescued by forest officials

Staff Reporter

— Photo: K. Ananthan

In safe hands: An abandoned male panther cub rescued by forest officials on the foothills of Palamalai in Perianaickenpalayam Range near Coimbatore on Saturday.

Coimbatore: A male panther cub was rescued by the forest officials at Bharathi Nagar near Naickenpalayam in Periyanaickenpalayam range in Coimbatore on Saturday. The cub is about one and a half month old.

Following information about a very tired panther cub walking out of the reserve forest boundary, R. Kannan, the Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle and I. Anwardeen, District Forest Officer, deputed a team of officials. The team led by Forest Veterinarian, N.S. Manoharan and Range Officer, N. Panneerselvam rescued the cub. It was given milk and provided with first aid. Officials suspect that the cub to have been abandoned by its mother. Such instances occurred if the delivery had taken place close to the fringe areas of the reserve forest boundary or when the mother tries to move deeper into the forest with the cub and the cub loses its way.

The cub will be under care till it gained strength. Since it had been abandoned at a very young age, the scope of getting it reunited with its mother looks remote. The cub could not survive on its own, since it is too weak.

The officials are yet to decide whether it could be let into wilderness or not. They said they would ask the Government if the cub could be kept for captive breeding.