At the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC), located in the lush Western Ghats, the air drifts between gentle summers, monsoon downpours, and the hushed spell of a soft winter — an overall experience to rejoice. During the rainy season, the green deepens, leaves glitter, and the scent of rain-kissed soil weaves itself into every inch of the forest. And somewhere on a wooden platform, hidden between gently swaying branches, Jaya reveals herself gracefully.
Now 17, Jaya has spent almost all of her life at MLRC. Her rescue story dates back to 2008, when a leopard and her cub were spotted in an agricultural field of Manegaon village near Nashik, Maharashtra, leading to a high conflict situation that made the mother leopard flee. After multiple yet failed reunion attempts, the forest department handed the baby leopard to Wildlife SOS for urgent, long-term care she needed. Infant Jaya was gently tended to by our caregivers and veterinarians, and grew up to be a charming leopard, whose presence is defined by poise.
Jaya, like most of her kind, prefers solitude. While she couldn’t experience the wild, the field she inhabits closely mirrors the forest for her to apply her inherent instincts. Her enclosure is replete with enrichments and allows Jaya to compose her own tales of the day: wooden structures rising like makeshift trees, shaded corners that collect her shadows and secrets, ladders that offer the illusion of endless height, and a platform where she can catch the first light.
Weather barely ever disrupts Jaya’s mood or her routine. When the clouds rumble too loudly, Jaya considers this as a message from nature and slips into her covered night enclosure. And the moment the rain relents, she reemerges to continue her explorations through the freshly drenched greenery. Whether it is a hot day or a cooler one, Jaya remains a calm and quiet leopard amidst the foliage, silently watching every move in her surroundings. One might even miss her entirely, unless she wishes to make herself noticed.
Jaya’s neighbours are Jiya and Shankar, two leopards residing close to her enclosure, and she makes sure to interact with them during her day. There are times when the soft growls exchanged between the three of them form a symphony that captures the essence of a forest.
Jaya’s health is always under constant, careful watch of her caregivers. The veterinary team ensures that Jaya receives a highly nutritious diet and annual vaccinations to safeguard her against rabies, viral infections and potential ailments. She is also given liver supplements and multivitamins to support her immune system.
The lush greenery of MLRC paints a picture of green and grey, allowing Jaya to be a befitting part of it: as a shadow under leaves, a silhouette on wood, or a footprint in soft mud.
Once a frightened cub left all by herself, Jaya arrived at a secure sanctuary where her fear was replaced with confidence. Your donation helps us continue providing rescued leopards like Jaya the love and care that they deserve.
Feature image: Wildlife SOS/ Akash Dolas
