Five Motherless Puppies Saved
At approximately 7:30pm on August 28,, Sharon Stone, Operations Manager at IDA's Hope Animal Sanctuary in Grenada, Mississippi, received a call from an employee at Greenwood Animal Hospital with a plea for help. A mother dog had been killed leaving five puppies who needed care.
The puppies were only four days old and without their mother, they would have to be bottle fed. Sharon called on a supporter who had offered to bottle feed puppies if the need ever arose. Angie Downs was happy to help, and these five precious puppies were delivered into her very capable hands at 10:00pm the same night. Without help from supporters like Angie, and people like her, many animals would not survive to enjoy the lives they so richly deserve.
An unwanted dog in Mississippi. A man with a traumatic brain injury in Massachusetts, struggling to communicate. Sometimes a story just touches your heart.
Could you help by donating a share of an amazing IDA animal rescue like Dally's?
It's truly a case of "who saved who"...
And if anyone should know, it’s the Director of the trauma facility to where the dashing dog Dally will soon be on his way. There, they help men with brain injuries heal and become more independent.
But for weeks the Director just couldn’t find a way through to the new resident.
Then one day while looking through a photo book with staff at the group home, the man frantically began making repeated sweeping strokes with his right arm.
A photo of a dog! The man's arm movements were his way of showing him petting his former beloved friend, who staff later learned was a black Labrador.
How sad the man must have been.
Meanwhile, 1,400 miles away in Mississippi, sat an abandoned dog named Dally... a rescue story that donations from incredible IDA members like you began in 2013.
Dally was found by the crew at IDA's Hope Animal Sanctuary (HAS), wandering and alone on a deserted road. For two years, every chance at a home fell through for Dally.
Those extended months of care were a stretch. Especially on HAS' limited budget, with the worst cases of abuse and neglect coming in daily.
But HAS director Doll Stanley knew that in a municipal pound or shelter, Dally could have been dead in weeks... maybe days.
Please will you "buy" a share of a rescue like Dally's with your donation to IDA and Hope Sanctuary today?
A full belly. Preventive medicines. Veterinary or surgical care for the sick and wounded. Saving a life like Dally's is worth every penny. And what a life it is proving to be!
As I write this, Dally will soon be on his way to a new, forever home. He'll be the official therapy dog to his new forever friends at the brain trauma facility!
Who saves who? The simple answer is, we can't help the animals without you.
Yes, the work is hard. Yes, as throwaways their stories are often tragic. Yes, the abuse and neglect we witness breaks our hearts into pieces every single day.
Today, you can turn those stories around.
For a once unwanted dog like Dally and his two-year journey to a one-of-a-kind home with some remarkable men who are working hard to heal, the support you pledge...... means everything. Please support the HAS rescue fund now.
Dog Pulls Puppy Off The Road
Camarin and Tomas Take Shelter from The Rain.
When Michigan Humane Society rescue driver, Chris Ouwerkerk, received a call that a puppy had been left out in the rain near an abandoned house, he went to the scene quickly — as he usually does — but what he found was anything but usual.
He called to the puppy, and the little one ran out to the street from his hiding space in between two trashcans. But when he picked the puppy up, he heard frantic meowing. If he could’ve translated it, the kitten probably would’ve been saying “Hey, don’t you take my cuddle buddy!”
Ouwerkerk found the kitten hidden between the two trashcans and figured that he had been snuggling with the puppy to stay warm and protected from the wind and rain.
Now, the puppy, Camarin, and Tomas, the kitten, can resume their friendship out of the scary winter winds. They’ve continued to snuggle and show affection for each other at the animal shelter, and it’s clear that it will take more than a bad storm to break their bond.
Rescued Circus Lion Feels Grass and Dirt for the First Time in 13 Years!
Thankfully, after over a decade of suffering, Will was rescued by Rancho do Gnomos. This amazing organization is a safe haven for domestic, wild and exotic animals who have been abused or neglected. Most of the animals in the sanctuary’s care come from captivity backgrounds, so the staff was more than prepared to help Will adjust to his new found freedom.
In this video, Will steps onto the grass for the first time in years! Seeming to understand that he will never have to suffer in a small cage again, Will makes himself right at home. It’s a shame it took him 13 years of suffering to reach this point, but we are so pleased to see him finally taste freedom!
The Dark Truth Behind the Adorable Video of an Orangutan Who ‘Adopted’ 3 Tiger Cubs
Well, that is the video looks really cute until they drop where these animals are from … T.I.G.E.R.S (The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species Safari and Preservation Station) a wild animal attraction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
While the video makes it looks like the orangutan just decided to take in these sweet tiger cubs as his own, there is a much darker side to this “sweet” story.
T.I.G.E.R.S is one of the most infamous wild animal breeding facilities in the U.S. Masquerading as a “wildlife conservation” organization, T.I.G.E.R.S offers tourists the chance to take selfies with tiger cubs, swim with elephants and of course, hang out with the orangutan featured in this video.
What the fine people at T.I.G.E.R.S do not tell the public, however, is the fact that most of their animals (like the white tiger cubs featured) are the product of years of reckless inbreeding that causes the cubs to suffer from developmental abnormalities, blindness, and other serious disorders. In order to keep the cubs so small and “cuddly,” they keep them on a strict milk diet far too long, causing them to be emaciated and have severely underdeveloped muscles and bones … but hey, as long as they look cute for the cameras, right?! If the cubs were being released into the wild to survive on their own, this would be a major problem. However, based on recent undercover investigation from the Humane Society of the United States, it seems more likely that the cubs at T.I.G.E.R.S. are more likely to be sold into the illegal wildlife trade or “discarded” once they are too large to serve as photo props anymore.
While it is such a shame that something as innocent and cute as an orangutan bottle-feeding tiger cubs could be riddled with so much cruelty and exploitation, it is a sad fact. As animal lovers, it is up to us to always question the “cute” videos and attractions that we come across to ensure that no animals are being harmed for the sake of our entertainment. Remember, always do your research. To help you differentiate a cruel attraction from a reputable sanctuary, check out this post.
It's a Miracle That Masti is Alive
It was a stroke of luck that two IDA India management team staffers happened to spot a tiny kitten running for his life across lanes of approaching traffic, with a motorcycle just missing him by inches! They immediately pulled to a stop from the opposite side of the road and bravely jumped out to try to rescue him. With their hearts pounding, they moved toward him, dodging the speeding traffic. He suddenly darted under their car and, in a matter of a second, had jumped up on one wheel.
With the help of some nearby kids, they were able to extricate him and take him quickly to safety and into foster care. Masti, (meaning naughty in Hindi), is proving to be a veritable jumping bean; he won’t sit still for a minute. He darts around the room, behind and up the curtain, behind and over the computer, on to the keyboard, and after all the paper balls thrown for him. He has collected these balls and keeps in a private corner.
The only time he is still is when he sits on the window sill (window tightly shut, of course) gazing at the view through the glass. The staff did grab a few brief moments of calm when he sat for his photo shoot at the IDA India Center; maybe he loved the gold pillows. All of us at IDA are thrilled to know he is safe, fighting fit, and more than ready for adoption!
Police Officer Dispatched to Save Pit Bull Being Choked and Beaten Does the Most Amazing Thing.
The relationship between humans and animals is special because it is based on trust. We trust that our animals won’t hurt us with their teeth and claws and in exchange, they trust us with their lives. That is one of the things that makes animal abuse such a terrible crime; the violation of an animals trust. So when neighbors spotted a man mercilessly beating a dog with a brick and choking it on the porch of a home in Cleveland, Ohio, they jumped into action.
By the time Officer Brandon Melbar arrived, one of them had managed to intervene, pulling the poor bloody dog off of the porch and away from the violent attacker. The dog, a blue pit bull terrier, had injuries to his face, legs and paw. He seemed so overjoyed to see his rescuers that he jumped into Melbar’s squad car when it pulled up in front of the scene! The police arrested the man on animal cruelty charges, which is now a felony in all fifty states and took the dog to VCA Great Lakes Vet Specialists where he was lucky enough to get Badges for Bullies to pay for his treatment.
Here’s the innocent pit bull getting some much-needed rest after the vets attended to him
Harvard and Officer Melbar, his kind new guardian!
Having grown up in the city, I often imagined what country life would be like. I dreamt of the quiet and peaceful settings, surrounded by nature. Since a very young age, my goal has always been to live on a farm and eventually open a sanctuary for neglected animals.
About four years ago, my dreams became reality when my family and I moved out of the city onto a small farm. It was only a matter of days after moving in that I noticed a tiny visitor living in our shed – a small kitten. I soon realized that this would not be the first nor last cat to appear on my doorstep, looking for a safe place to call home. Why are so many cats dumped and discarded in country settings, especially near farms? It seems to be accepted that they are meant to be “barn” cats, living outside, controlling the rodent population and keeping pests away. Is this truly the ideal life for our feline companions?
Life for Stray Cats
It is estimated that there are around 70 million homeless domestic animals living in the U.S., the majority of which are cats. While this number may seem steep, considering the fact that one un-spayed cat can produce 420,000 more feral cats over the course of seven years between her and all of her offspring, suddenly this number doesn’t seem so unbelievable.
Shelters across the U.S. are working tirelessly to help stymie the population of feral cats, but only around six million will ever find their way into rescue shelters and about half will be adopted. Sadly, this is a never-ending cycle. Every spring, the cat population explodes out of control, shelters scramble to save as many as they can, but the majority of these animals will be put down or left to fend for themselves.
In rural areas where people may let their domestic cats roam free outdoors, the likelihood that Mittens will come home with a litter of six or more kittens is much higher. As a result, it’s not uncommon to see boxes of kittens left in the lane way of a farm or country residence. Whether their previous owners are just naïve to reality or simply believe it is the best solution; sadly, most that cats find themselves in this situation will not survive more than a few months. They may succumb to the elements, become prey to foxes, raccoons and other predators or killed by a farmer that has no need for them.
In the four years that I have lived in the country, I have had several cats “appear” on my property, most in terrible condition and in need of immediate help. It is a continuous cycle with no end in sight. Of all of these cats, one stands out the most – Patch.
On a cold evening in the middle of winter, Patch randomly showed up on my property – he was young, thin and neglected. His previous caretakers had failed him and tossed him out from the life he once knew. He was quite feral and unapproachable at first. Asking no more than a warm place to rest and food to eat, I provided him with shelter and care. He would gladly accept his meals but remain at a distance. One night, everything changed.
From my kitchen, I could hear screams of pain and terror. I ran out the back door only to find Patch sitting there, covered in blood. He had been attacked badly by an animal and was in need of help. He knew to come to the house even though he had tried so hard to avoid human contact in the past. I looked after him while he recovered and healed – a bond began to develop and trust began to build.
How You Can Help Other Cats Like Patches
Patch beat the odds after being abandoned and forgotten by humans, most are not this fortunate. Please spay and neuter your cats – do not contribute to the overpopulation problem that already exists. Do not discard unwanted animals as this is nothing more than a death sentence for them. Practice kindness and compassion by supporting your local no-kill shelters, rescues and other organizations dedicated to helping stray animals.
Woman Trades in Sun and Sand to Help Homeless Animals On Her Vacation.
When most people head off for vacation, they make plans to lie on the beach or have wild adventures with friends. For Lesley O’Donoghue, however, her idea of a vacation meant spending time volunteering at a local animal shelter!
O’Donoghue was attending a friends’ wedding on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and decided to spend the free time that she had their to do some good at local animal shelters. After a little asking around, Leslie was directed to the Argos Animal Sanctuary and Noah’s Ark Dog Rescue, where this amazing woman was able to use her vacation time to improve the lives of the homeless and wounded animals of Cyprus.
“I love my holidays as much as the next person,” Lesley told the Lancashire Evening Post. “But I was having a chat to the hotel receptionist and we were discussing how much we loved dogs … Then she told me about a couple of local dog rescue shelters. I work at Dogs Trust and I knew that just like all rescue charities in the UK, they probably rely on volunteers, so I asked if they needed any help, and a couple of days later headed off to help out.”
In fact, people like Lesley are now finding it easier than ever to spread the love all over the world, as a new type of volunteer tourism, geared towards helping animals, is gaining momentum. Some places even offer room and board in exchange for help, making great opportunities for students and budget travelers. The next time you are planning a trip, why not look into spending some time volunteering, too? Volunteer tourism is a great way to build memories with your family and is also a wonderful way to teach children about the importance of being kind to animals. All image source: Lancashire Evening Post
Piglet rescued moments from drowning.
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Rescued Orphan Rhino Calf Learns to Enjoy Life Again After Witnessing the Death of His Mother.
The youngster arrived at the Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage emaciated and traumatised, but is now well on his way to recovery and release.
For more information on the orphanage visit http://www.earthorganization.org
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Amazing Team Saves Rhino Who Lost Her Horn to Poachers and Was Left to Die.
Kind Man Rescues 2 Kittens From Oil Spill in Russia.
When an ecological disaster hits, animals – both wild and domesticated – are, all too often, the forgotten victims. It is estimated that for every 1,000 humans affected by a disaster, approximately 1,500 animals will also be hit hard. Hurricane Katrina, for example, highlighted the vulnerability of animal companions who are often abandoned and left helpless when tragedy strikes. Other humans chose not to be evacuated from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast unless they could bring their beloved cats and dogs, placing their own safety in jeopardy.
In response to Katrina, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act was signed into law in 2006, requiring state and local emergency bodies to take into account the needs of individuals with household and service animals before, during and after a disaster.
Sadly, the plight of abandoned animals in the wake of disaster has recently been thrown under the spotlight in Russia, after a deadly oil spill devastated communities in the Siberian region of Nefteyugansk.
In late June, a rupture in a key oil pipeline allowed copious amounts of the substance to flow into the Ob River.
You can find some tips for how to protect your animals in the event of a natural or man-made disaster here. All image source: Siberian Times
You Will Be Amazed by the Incredible Transformation of These Dogs Saved From Cruel Fighting Operation.
Distressing as it may be to realize that cruel dog fighting still goes on, the reality is that organizations such as the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) continue to uncover new cases of illegal fighting rings on a regular basis. The animal protection group says, “‘Man’s best friend’ may fight to the death in dogfights, often with tens of thousands of dollars at stake. Dogfighters sometimes kill the blousing dogs, and even winning dogs may die from their wounds. Police often discover drugs, guns, and even murder in connection with dogfights.”
When the canine victims of these fighting rings are finally rescued from their lives of terror and enforced aggression, they often have a long road ahead of them before they are prepared to trust humans and learn how to love again. However, it is entirely possible for such dogs to become loving family pets and companions, if they are given all of the care and attention they need.
Sixty-five dogs rescued from a “hog-dog” fighting ring in Cottonwood, Ala., by the HSUS in January have now recovered sufficiently from their ordeal to start seeking loving forever homes … and their transformations are nothing short of incredible!
When the pooches were originally taken out of their horrendous situation by HSUS field responders, their condition was desperate.
To find out what action to take if you suspect that a dog fighting ring is in operation near you, check out these resources today:
Aslan and Rose: A Syrian Boy Refugee Journey With His Beloved Dog.
Meet Aslan, a 17-year-old refugee who fled war-torn Syria along with his beloved dog, Rose. Aslan is one of Europe’s latest refugees to arrive on the Greek island of Lesvos.
He says when it came time to flee Damascus, he never dreamed of leaving Rose behind. ‘I love my dog,’ he says. ‘I need him’
After Hauling Logs In the Jungle For 20 Years, Crippled Elephant Finally Tastes Freedom and Love.
Thailand is a country blessed with a large number of natural resources. It is home to many animals, including over 3,000 domestic Asian elephants. The term “domestic” elephant is quite broad and includes both pets and elephants that work in the tourism or logging industries. Unfortunately, the industries that include elephants are often unmonitored, so many of these animals lead difficult lives.
Poor Kabu was an unfortunate victim of the illegal logging trade in Thailand. She had been hauling heavy logs up and down jungle trails, with a crippled leg, for upwards of 20 years! For Kabu, who was most likely stolen from her mother as a calf, every day of her life was filled with pain and suffering.
elephant Kabu happy in field
Rescued Bow-Legged Calf Takes First (Baby) Steps Towards Recovery at New Sanctuary Home.
After a few days with the kind people at Edgar’s Mission, however, her recovery is going swell! While her legs are still bowed and walking is a chore, she seems much happier and brighter than she was before. Her rescuers are working on getting X-rays of the little calf’s legs so that they can decide how to best treat her condition – but everyone at Edgar’s Mission seems to be optimistic that a full recovery is possible!
Edgar’s Mission animal sanctuary has given us many reasons to sing their praises and the story of Pixie is no exception. However, they rely on donations from kind people like you to continue functioning. If you believe that animals like Pixie, Fanta, Delilah, and Gandalf deserve a happy ending and a second chance please head over to their website to learn more.
Severely Injured Pregnant Sheep Makes a Wonderful Recovery Thanks to Rescuers and Her Burro BFF.
Doesn’t a good rescue story make you smile, Green Monsters? If so, you’re sure to be left grinning from ear to ear after hearing about sweet rescued sheep Kimie, who was taken in by the kind folks of Mino Valley Farm Sanctuary in Galicia, Spain.
When she originally arrived, she was in a sorry state. Mino Valley staff said: “We rescued Kimie nearly four months ago after she was attacked by a dog and the owners didn’t want to treat her wounds. They wanted to kill her instead.” Luckily, Kimie’s compassionate vet did not comply with her guardians’ wishes, instead deciding to send her to Mino Valley, where staff would care enough about her to fight for her life. However, Kimie had a long road ahead of her before she was able to recover from her ordeal.
One of her carers said, “The main dog bite had become infected and formed a hole in her neck that was so big my entire fist could fit inside. She couldn’t eat, was in absolute agony and was heavily pregnant! Since then she’s given birth and made incredible progress. But the infection has still not gone and has been moving around the neck so we still have to give her special treatment every day.”
This is Kimie when she first arrived at Mino Valley: extremely nervous, ill, and unwilling to trust any human.
Thanks to their dedicated efforts – not to mention the loving support of Fernando and Hakeem – it looks like she is well on the road to a happy, fulfilling life! To help donate to these sweet animals’ ongoing care, click here. All image source: Mino Valley Farm Sanctuary.
Tammy and Todd miracle.
This is a story of a young fox that was left for dead on the side of the road. It's a story of hope and compassion and the amazing will of an animal to survive. Please help Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary make miracles happen. Go to http://www.gofundme.com/Tammy-ToddMir... Donations are gratefully accepted here or on our website at www.woodlandswildlifesanctuary.ca The Wild Ones Thank You!
Rescue Cat Who Was Too Terrified to Show Her Face Gains Love and Confidence in Her New Home.
In the mood to be uplifted by a beautiful rescue story, Green Monsters? If so, prepare to say “aww” over the story of adorable Backpack the cat, who was taken in by the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) earlier this week, after being found on the street. She gained her name after being found by a child, who took her to the PAWS shelter in a backpack to ensure that she would be safe.
Sadly, Backpack was “completely terrified and shut-down” when she reached the shelter, despite the best efforts of PAWS’ staff to soothe her. She seemed too depressed to eat in the shelter. This meant that she had to find a secure foster home as quickly as possible, where she could receive the hands-on, one-on-one attention that she so desperately needed.
On her initial arrival at PAWS, Backpack was too frightened to look at anyone.
And here she is now, in her new home!
PAWS are caring for many other kitties who need loving foster homes. They said, “If Backpack’s story touched your heart, please consider fostering a cat like her. We have several other adult cats who need to leave the shelter into foster care due to stress or illness. A change of scenery to a loving home environment will make all the difference in the world, and we’ll provide plenty of support.”
So if you live in the Philadelphia area and are in a position to help, why not let them know? You can also donate to help PAWS continue their work by clicking here. All image source: Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society/Facebook
Explorers Save Abandoned Puppy.
Forgoing the creature comforts of home is par for the course on such an expedition. For example says Wright, "Sometimes you’re in the middle of nowhere and you gotta go, so you just pull off and pee behind a bush." But what Wright found during one such pit-stop was completely unexpected. "I have to pee so I just stop on my bike randomly in the desert and all of a sudden I hear this whimpering sound and at first I can't figure out what it is and then I look and there's this little puppy curled up an old tire hiding from the wind. I quickly realized that he had been abandoned."
The puppy, which the explorers named Sufferpup, quickly turned the adventure duo into an adventure trio.
Wright recalls, "I picked him up out of the little tire and I was like 'Oh, what do I do with you? What do I feed you?' Obviously we didn't have dog food or dog formula with us. And I was like, 'Well, ya know he'd probably be drinking puppy milk or whatever,' and so I was like, 'We have string cheese.' I took my thumb and gave him water and he suckled the water off my thumb and then nibbled on the string cheese. And he ate like an entire thing of string cheese."
Not surprisingly, the string cheese later caused Sufferpup to release his bowels all over the explorers' sleeping bags. That didn't diminish the explorers' affections for their new team member, but they did decide to build Sufferpup his own shelter. Wright says, "One of the important things for me was to have a cold beer at the end of the day so we had this used beer box and we were like, 'Oh this will make a perfect little kennel for Sufferpup.' So we just took the box and cut a hole in it and put some rags in there and that became Sufferpup's little kennel, it became his little home. And while we were up climbing he'd be hiding in his little beer box home from the wind and the sand and then we'd get down and feed him."
Although an unexpected addition to Sufferfest 2, Sufferpup was no less important. "He became our little buddy, he became our mascot for the Sufferfest," Wright says. "For me, it was like 'thank goodness for Sufferpup,' because when you're just pushing yourself to your absolute limit, biking further than you want to, climbing more than you really want to, it's really heartening at the end of the day to come down and have this adorable little puppy to cuddle with. Without Sufferpup I don’t know if we would have made it."
And without the explorers, it's unlikely Sufferpup would have made it either. "He went from being this shivering close to death creature to being filled with energy and his coat started to look all rich and he really became this happy little puppy," Wright says of Sufferpup's transformation. Wright also made sure Sufferpup had somewhere to go once the expedition was over. "Sufferpup scored. Some friends of ours adopted Sufferpup and now he’s eating organic dog food in Boulder, Colorado. So happy ending for Sufferpup."
Cedar Wright is a National Geographic Expeditions Council grantee: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/exp...
Listen to Cedar Wright share the team's most suffer-worthy moments from the original Sufferfest expedition in his National Geographic Radio interview below.
https://soundcloud.com/nationalgeogra...
PRODUCER/EDITOR: Nora Rappaport
SERIES PRODUCER: Jennifer Shoemaker
GRAPHICS: Babak Shahbodaghloo
SPECIAL THANKS: Cedar Wright
Bears enjoy fruit at rescue centre.
It is so beautiful to see the bears living a life of peace and happiness after all that they have suffered in their pasts. Thank you for making it possible - together we are making a huge difference!
To donate a fruit basket, please visit: http://www.internationalanimalrescue....
Thank you to volunteer Emma Fiorentini for putting this video together for us all to enjoy
Cat Rescue - Israeli Firefighters. Firefighters Rescue Terrified Kitten Stuck in the Hood of a Car
We can only imagine how the kitty must have felt as she gazed upon these strange humans. At first, she seemed to resist their efforts to help by sticking out a paw to scratch one of the firefighters when he came too close to her! However, the rescuers worked diligently to free her from the car and did their best to reassure and comfort her as she was set down on the ground. The shocked and disorientated feline was given some water to drink and food to eat, before being brought to the home of a man who agreed to care for her.
Before long, the cat began to realize that she could trust him. And towards the end of the video, as she finally allows herself to relax and play … well, let’s just say you may be in need of a hanky or two. Good luck with your new life, sweet kitty!
A Peek Into What It’s Like to Rehabilitate Rare Clouded Leopards. Clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) are among the most elusive wild carnivores in the world, but those in the western buffer area of Manas Tiger Reserve in India don’t seem to like this “elusive” tag.
How else does one explain the six cases of clouded leopards, given vulnerable status by the IUCN, that we’ve handled here in a span of five years?
From 2010-2015, the International Fund for Animal Welfare-WTI Mobile Veterinary Service (MVS) field station near Chakrasilla Wildlife Sanctuary in western Assam has handled six cases of clouded leopards. All six encounters were predominantly a result of increased disturbances and unwanted interventions by humans in the animals’ natural habitat, which is not a very encouraging sign.
The latest case involved a juvenile male rescued by villagers in the Kachugaon Reserve Forest. This is a patch of forest in the foothills contiguous with the Phipsoo Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan.
The villagers took the animal to the proposed Bodoland Mini Zoo complex about a month ago where it was looked after like a domestic cat, Apparently, they didn’t even identify the species.
Our animal keeper, Subiram Basumatary, accompanied by the range forest officer of Kokrajhar went to inspect and found this “cat” lying under the chair at the office.
They immediately identified it as a clouded leopard and took the animal to the wildlife transit home to begin the rehabilitation process.
Examination included measurement of the animal’s canine teeth.
Challenges Ahead
The striking difference from previous cases is that this cub is a single while all other cases came in pairs. This led to more dependence and habituation on the foster parents than we had encountered before.
Another challenge is to find a suitable habitat where they can be released. Even the post-release monitoring will need more efforts as the previous experience and results were not up to our satisfaction.
Every crisis situation offers opportunities and, for us at the MVS station, the priceless experience to understand the species first hand and document its important behavioral attributes, which otherwise is difficult to observe and document in their natural habitat.
Subiram is confident that this clouded leopard will adapt well. It has already started hunting small prey within the enclosure — a skill the animal needs for survival in a hostile wild environment.
Subiram’s skill of nursing orphan wildlife back to health, especially small carnivores, has been amazingly successful. It’s only a matter of time before this one will follow suit and go back to the wild.
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain