Threatened: Understanding The IUCN Urgency Behind The Word
We often hear people say a species is “threatened” or “endangered”, but do we really know what these words mean? […]
We often hear people say a species is “threatened” or “endangered”, but do we really know what these words mean? […]
At the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) in Maharashtra, where rescued leopards find safety and care, one particular resident stands
The holiday spirit has spread all across the rescue facilities of Wildlife SOS, and our animals with their caregivers are
When a forest falls silent, the sound of a single cry can carry for miles. That cry came from a
Gliding in a seamless stride, looking for prey, leopards are now on a perpetual prowl through sugarcane fields to survive
If you happen to visit the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Maharashtra, we guarantee a wild experience that you’ll always
Sloth bears and tigers, two of the most iconic and elusive predators of the Indian subcontinent, share a long history
In 2023, deep in the forests of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a group of six poachers believed they could continue
As forests are uprooted, one tree at a time — more and more wild animals find themselves wandering closer and
In January of last year, a tiny, wide-eyed leopard cub — no bigger than a housecat — was found curled
Beneath the canopies of serene woodlands of Junnar, lies our Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC), cradling many untold stories. Amongst
The golden valleys of Kashmir are cloaked in white following winter snowfall. Children, bundled in vibrant winter clothes, run across
Get up close and personal with Avani, a rescued leopard at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre. Learn about her journey from conflict to care.
Through the dense greenery of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) peeks the sun, revealing a sleek coat of rosettes
Discover the role of enrichments in leopard care. Learn how Wildlife SOS use enrichments to enhance the physical and mental health of leopards in captivity.
With the gradual increase in the number of cases of human-leopard conflicts, more and more leopards are suffering. With a
The Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) was started in 2007 by Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department
Spreading awareness is an important aspect of animal welfare, and as an organisation committed to conserving wildlife, our aim is
In the serene wilderness of Niphad, nestled in the heart of Maharashtra’s Nashik district, an unfortunate incident of yet another
In the quiet village of Khamundi, Maharashtra, locals stumbled upon a startling sight. A leopard cub, barely five months old,
“The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the centre of your
Within the picturesque landscapes of Maharashtra, the human-leopard conflict presents a complex challenge. Ideally, these magnificent creatures should be roaming
Nothing could be a more fitting name for our magnificent cat than “Jaya”, a Sanskrit word that means “victor”. This
Many of us begin our day with a list of tasks to do. What we often tend to miss adding
Traipsing through the sugarcane fields of Maharashtra, leopards are on a perpetual prowl to survive in a rapidly urbanising world
“In the end we will conserve what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand
Like every year, a fresh batch of individuals set foot inside the Wildlife SOS Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) in
A normal day in a village called Jawan, located in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district, became unusually active. What unfolded was
2022 ended on a dramatic note with our team conducting multiple leopard rescues in Maharashtra in the month of December.
Running parallel to the western coast of India’s peninsula, the Western Ghats is an area with one of the richest
The ever-changing landscape in Kashmir has been a leading cause of human-leopard conflict in that region. However, conflict is not
It’s no secret that winters and holiday season go hand-in-glove. ’Tis also the time when the jovial atmosphere of the
Recognised as one of the world’s eight hotspots of biological diversity, the Western Ghats or the Western Mountain range in
Spotted, stealthy and solitary. These are three key characteristics that aid leopards to survive in the wild. The big cat
In June 2022, a disturbing video surfaced where a leopard was seen hit by a private four-wheeler on the Pune-Nashik
Roads cannot signify progress if they claim lives or are life-threatening. A leopard was recently hit by a speeding vehicle
Earlier this year, two leopard cubs were found in separate instances occurring just a few days apart in the fields
Her very first memory was of being surrounded by the warmth and safety of her mother. The leopard cub’s mother
Panic took over the villagers of Jalauke Khurd when news of a leopard sighted within their village rapidly spread. For
In a bizarre event that took place in March 2022, employees of the Mercedes-Benz factory in Chakan, Maharashtra found a
Wildlife SOS actively rescues and reunites leopard cubs with their mothers. But what makes these events a success?
Forest Department officials from Shahpur and Vanprashikshan, located in Jalna district in the Aurangabad Division, visited the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue
A new day and a new menace for a leopard, as it escaped a narrow brush with death in Alkuti
While many know of Wildlife SOS’ leopard conservation efforts, a little-known fact is that we have also had the opportunity
Since 2007, through the establishment of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre, Wildlife SOS has been working with the Maharashtra Forest
Wildlife conservation is exciting in many ways and has its own thrills. It is no less adventurous than what we
At dusk, a leopard creeps through the night, moving soundlessly through an endless maze of tall grass. The night is
Alone, abandoned, and surrounded by impossibly tall stalks of sugarcane – the possibility of survival seemed bleak for a young
After successfully reuniting several leopard cubs in the past month, Wildlife SOS is relieved to announce another fortunate mission. A
Nature harbours some of the most curious relationships. Ostriches and zebras, elephants and beetles, woodpeckers and ants. These odd alliances
India is known for a multitude of things – its rich culture, history, scenic destinations, and welcoming people. A lesser-known
Oftentimes when people watch videos of leopard rescue operations, they only see the tip of the iceberg. They do not
Human-Wildlife conflict mitigation cannot be possible with the involvement of just one group. Rather, it is the combined effort of
Amidst the many challenges of forest fragmentation, habitat encroachment, and poaching, leopard conservationists in India also face the trial of
In 2021, it is common knowledge that the illegal wildlife trade has devastating consequences on our ecological balance and biodiversity,
Barely a few weeks old, their soft, distressed cries tug right at the heart strings of our leopard care staff
Situated in the middle of Western Maharashtra, the Ahmednagar district is on the rise. Seen as a leader in the
Human encroachment in the form of gentrification, industrialization and rapid urbanization has robbed Indian leopards of their natural habitat. However,
A surprise visitor lead to one of the most bizarre extractions in the history of Wildlife SOS! As schools continue
Known for their magnificent golden, speckled bodies and graceful hunting techniques, the Indian Leopard is a bewitching majesty in its
In another heart-warming tale of family reunions, a 25-day old leopard cub was recently reunited with its mother in Junnar
What started out as a normal day for farmers in Bori Salwadi village, soon turned into an action-packed afternoon after
We were all told tales as children – many of which are considered superstition and relatively harmless. Growing up in
Three months into the New Year and this heartwarming story of a reunion will fill you with a renowned sense
In an effort to help identify and diffuse situations of human-leopard conflict, Wildlife SOS conducts regular training workshops for village
Dr Arun A Sha has been working with Wildlife SOS since 2004. A strong proponent of the need for establishing
*Warning: Graphic Content* Conservation and Rehabilitation centres work on a microscopic imitation of the original habitats of long-ranging species such
Apart from food-laced explosives and pellets, DIY snare and jaw traps form a terrible threat to animals inhabiting the country’s
For the past eleven years Vitthal has called the Wildlife SOS Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar home. In this past
Considered the heart and soul of the Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar, Maharashtra, Shivaji Modhe is the oldest member of
Mitigating man-animal conflict can be quite a challenging task, involving many aspects such as community participation, avoidance behaviour and quick
Camera trap footage is a very important tool for ecological studies and observation of wildlife in their true form and
Stealthy and elusive, leopards can be found in various places around the world –Sub-Saharan Africa, northeast Africa, Central Asia, India
Wildlife SOS established the Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar, Maharashtra, keeping in mind the increased incidents of man-leopard conflict in
Taking care of big cats is not an easy task, especially for the leopards under our care as they have
The prized possessions of the wild find themselves in serious incidents and escaping death at every turn, whether it is
As cases of the Coronavirus pandemic grip the nation with increasing intensity, Maharashtra constitutes for 1/3rd of the cases, hence
The cat’s out of the bag and quite literally so, especially with the recent positive cases of the Coronavirus infection
Dilip Deshpande hails from a village near the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre and has been working as a leopard keeper
There are plenty of causes to care about in today’s world but not many gravitate towards wildlife conservation. It is
On July 13, 2019, the Wildlife SOS team in the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center received an urgent call from the
Recently, a community interaction event was organized in Kupwara border area by Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department on March 24th,
With three back to back leopard rescue operations, it’s been quite the action-packed week for Wildlife SOS. With the harvest
As tensions flared between two adult male leopards near Bhatkalwadi village in Ottur, Maharashtra, a territorial feud broke open resulting
With accelerated economic growth resulting in rapid infrastructural development in India, the transport network has received a makeover, which incorporates
With accelerated economic growth resulting in rapid infrastructural development in India, the transport network has received a makeover, which incorporates
Maharashtra, the fourth-largest state to harbor Indian leopards, has in the recent years faced the threat of a shrinking habitat,
Maharashtra, the fourth-largest state to harbor Indian leopards, has in the recent years faced the threat of a shrinking habitat,
While people in the city enjoyed a relaxing and rejuvenating Sunday, a helpless leopard’s life was at stake when it
While people in the city enjoyed a relaxing and rejuvenating Sunday, a helpless leopard’s life was at stake when it
The Indian Leopard, is a Vulnerable species, as listed in the IUCN Red List and is widely distributed in the
An approx. ten month old female leopard cub escaped a narrow brush with death after falling into a 40 foot
On some days, working in conservation feels like we’re fighting a losing battle. The extinction of the last male northern
Every year, the onset of the harvest season brings about the unavoidable encounter with leopards and leopard cubs that have
It has been a busy month for the Wildlife SOS team at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center in Junnar, Maharashtra.
At the heart of wildlife conservation lies a simple truth: people protect what they understand. When communities, students, policymakers, and
While summer temperatures soared across India, Wildlife SOS navigated diverse terrains to rescue animals caught in challenges specific to urban
India is a land rich in culture and heritage, and it is also home to breathtaking biodiversity. What is often
At the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC), located in the lush Western Ghats, the air drifts between gentle summers, monsoon
At first glance, it looks like a creature out of a fantasy tale. A tiger shimmering white, like snow under
Nestled along the biodiverse stretch of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, our Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) shines as the
Amongst the dense green forests of Maharashtra’s Junnar region, stands our Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) as a shining beacon
Conservation and awareness are perhaps the two sides of the same coin. People learn to protect wildlife when they understand
In the heart of Maharashtra’s Junnar region lies a safe haven replete with greenery, and here, a stealthy observer moves
For centuries, people around the world have used traditional medicines as a means of healing as part of their cultural
Cradled in the lap of nature, lies the tranquil expanse of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) and here, with
Nisha’s life began in a world that wasn’t natural for a wild leopard cub. Instead of a sheltered den in
At 25 years of age, Shiva was the oldest leopard, and the longest to live under the care of Wildlife
Wildlife SOS is honoured to celebrate 30 years of saving India’s precious wildlife. From humble beginnings in 1995 rescuing, treating
Meet Rani, the elusive and resilient leopard of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre. Learn about her inspiring story and the importance of conserving leopard habitats.
Situated in the Western Ghats, globally acclaimed as a biological hotspot, the Junnar region is a lush and agrarian haven.
In March 2024, our beloved leopard, Shivani, bid us farewell, leaving an indelible mark on all our hearts. As we
In the sugarcane fields of rural Maharashtra, it’s not uncommon for farmers to encounter unexpected visitors in the form of
Wildlife SOS founded the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) in Junnar, Maharashtra, in response to the rising incidents of human-leopard
Maharashtra’s landscape is diverse, encompassing lush green forests, vast plateaus, rolling hills, and protected ecosystems like the Western Ghats and
Imagine that you are walking through one of the vast sugarcane fields of Maharashtra. Suddenly, you hear soft squeaks within
In a quiet corner of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) resides Ganesh, a remarkable leopard with an extraordinary journey.
Today, numerous animals require rescuing from various situations. As an organisation that actively runs and manages over 10 rescue centres
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we bid farewell to Usha, a magnificent leopard who graced our
George and Natalie are two of the most awe-inspiring felines at the Wildlife SOS Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre. The sibling
Ever wondered what to do if a leopard entered your house? Working to conserve leopards for several years now, Wildlife
There is no conservation without conversation. As human and animal habitations intersect due to diminishing spaces and resources, more and
Leopards are the most adaptable of all big cats. Their size and stealth allow leopards to manoeuvre diverse topography. However
The leopard (Panthera pardus or P. pardus) is one of the five extant species of cats belonging to the genus
Leopards are elusive, nocturnal animals that are listed as ‘Near Threatened’ under the IUCN Red List. They are umbrella species
In 2021, a cub was found wandering alone amidst the towering stalks of sugarcane in Kolwade Village located in the
In a small village that lies on the fringes of a dense forest in Maharashtra, a young leopard was met
“A leopard never changes its spots.” This popular proverb is meant to imply that one cannot change their inherent nature.
Animals share a unique and wonderful relationship with their offspring. Be it elephants with their calves, or bears and leopards
After the curtains of the day fall, some members of the wild come out to play. Nocturnal animals add a
Cats have mastered the range of ferocity over their many years on this planet. They are thought to be the
As the sun set and the Wildlife SOS Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) wrapped up the day’s work, our team
Swimming continuously for hours is a feat only professional swimmers specialize in. But enduring the task of swimming, after accidentally
At the crack of dawn, a farmer in Otur of Pune district, Maharashtra, wakes up to do his daily chores.
Rosettes that inspire awe in man; Roaming in the night and roaming in the day, Lurking in the shadows for
A leopardess walks soundlessly through the tall grass, taking care not to trample on dry twigs that would alert others
The Cambridge dictionary defines the word ‘freedom’ as “the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say,
Nothing melts and warms the heart like the relationship that a mother shares with her little ones. The animal kingdom
Nothing melts and warms the heart like the relationship that a mother shares with her little ones. The animal kingdom
Not even three days into the New Year and the Wildlife SOS team is already on its toes. But doing
Wildlife SOS, in collaboration with the Ahmednagar Forest Division, conducted a rescue equipment training workshop at the NGO’s Manikdoh Leopard
As we celebrate World Leopard Day on the 3rd of May, we would love to introduce all our supporters to
The harvest season from December to April fills the farmers with new hopes, each year. In Maharashtra, however, there is
As the storm clouds make way for a season of dewy twilights and chilly, gusty winds, spirits are high across
Due to urban encroachment on forest lands, leopard sightings have become extremely common in the state of Maharashtra, which is
Human-wildlife conflicts have become a regular occurrence due to the continuous decline in natural animal habitation and forest cover. Human
Not many have heard of Chakan, a small town nestled between Pune and Nashik. This census town is considered one
The snow-peaked mountains and mesmerising scenery of Jammu and Kashmir are more than just a sight for sore eyes. Due
Big cats instill awe in us. One such awe-inspiring big cat at our Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) is Ganesh,
Over the past few days, CCTV footage of a leopard running out of a house in Agra has been doing
Every year, the world has an unofficial celebration of the wonderful relationship between siblings on the 10th of April. We
Gliding through sugarcane fields in a seamless stride, looking for food, leopards are on a perpetual prowl to survive in
For leopard mothers, hunting missions undertaken to feed their offspring, until they can survive on their own, are a part
India was in the spot light this week for a mega-wild cause! The Conference of Parties to the Convention on
One of the cruelest human-created threats to wildlife, the jaw trap is clearly the most common devices used to trap
Earlier this week, farmers discovered a tiny 14-day-old wild cat in a sugar cane farm in Walki village, located in
In the lush sugarcane fields of the state of Maharashtra, the mother leopard often finds assurance to birth and nurture
With the dawn of the harvest season, the state of Maharashtra that houses a large population of leopards has seen
With the dawn of the harvest season, the state of Maharashtra that houses a large population of leopards has seen
Amidst the usual winter morning tranquility, the otherwise peaceful Pimpalgaon Rotha village in Maharashtra was startled by the panicked roars
While a surprise guest would usually leave us excited for their company, so was not the case when a four-year-old
The time of harvest is around the corner, and so are leopard cubs which is why many a time, the
As part of our on-going community outreach and awareness programme, Wildlife SOS frequently collaborates with the Maharashtra Forest Department to
As part of our on-going community outreach and awareness programme, Wildlife SOS frequently collaborates with the Maharashtra Forest Department to
Wildlife conservation work is fraught with hazards. Not only is it a job very much dependent on external funding, it
While open wells have been a source of relief for humans for thousands of years, this has not been the
Come harvest season in Maharashtra and leopard cub rescues are on the rise. In a recent incident two leopard cubs,
Over the years, the wild cats of Maharashtra have suitably adapted to habitat modification and have moved out of the
This year Wildlife SOS achieved a much awaited milestone with the release of a compendium of 20 years of Veterinary