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Severely damaged left foreleg of rescued leopardess amputated, to live at Shimla shelter home lifelong

In March, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) concluded in a survey that Himachal Pradesh has a population of about 1,114 leopards with a density of two animals per 100 square kilometres.

3 min readDec 10, 2025 02:19 PM IST

Veterinarians examine the damaged limb of the rescued leopardess at the Rescue and Rehabilitation Home for wild animals at Tutikandi in Shimla. (Express Photo)

The severely damaged left foreleg of an around four-year-old sub-adult leopardess rescued at the Subathu cantonment area in Solan district has been amputated through a procedure that lasted for over an hour at the Rescue and Rehabilitation Home for wild animals at Tutikandi in Shimla on Saturday.

The leopardess, rescued from an agricultural farm near a forested patch last month, had severely damaged her left foreleg that got entangled in a wire trap.

According to officials, the feline’s claws, canines and other vital body parts were intact, but her left foreleg was beyond recovery. Owing to the amputation and her inability to fend for herself in the wild, the leopardess will remain at Tutikandi shelter for the rest of her life. The centre has 17 leopards, many of them long-term residents due to severe disabilities.

Sources with the wildlife wing said the big cat was found hanging upside down from a tree, with her left foreleg tightly bound with a wire wrapped around a branch. “In her desperate attempt to free herself, she inflicted deep injuries on her limb. By the time the rescue team arrived, the leopardess remained suspended in extreme distress,” an official said. The team first tranquilised the animal and then lowered her to the ground.

A rescue team member said, “The leopardess remained hanging upside down for nine to twelve hours before help arrived. We were alerted by locals. It is still unclear whether the mesh was intentionally placed to protect crops from wildlife or was an abandoned snare.”

Her prolonged struggle led to severe tissue damage, leaving little scope for saving the limb, he said.

Shimla (Wildlife) Divisional Forest Officer Shahnawaz Ahmed Bhat said the leopardess’s struggle to get itself untangled led to severe tissue damage, leaving little scope for saving the limb, and amputation became the only viable option.

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“The veterinarians tried all possible treatments, but the paw was extensively damaged. Keeping the limb would have put the animal at risk of a life-threatening infection,” Bhat said.

The leopardess has been placed under close observation and remains isolated to minimise the risk of contamination. The rescue team also carried out an extensive search in the area to rule out the presence of dependent cubs.

In a separate incident, wildlife officials rescued a leopard from a residential building in Theog on Monday.

After a medical examination found the animal fit, it was released safely into the wild.

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In March, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) concluded in a survey that Himachal Pradesh has a population of about 1,114 leopards with a density of two animals per 100 square kilometres.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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