GEER Foundation Veterinary Team Restores Mobility to Paralysed Leopard
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A wild leopard left completely paralysed after a highway collision near Shamlaji has made a full physical recovery following months of intensive veterinary care at the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation in Gandhinagar.
The big cat was rescued on 19 January 2026 after being struck by an automobile on the Kheracha-Khodambha Highway in Aravalli district. Radiographs conducted at Kamdhenu University in Himatnagar confirmed a severe lumbosacral fracture-subluxation at the L7-S1 region, alongside lower-jaw trauma and severe oral infections.
Intensive Care and Milestone Recovery
Transferred to a specialized, low-stress medical enclosure at Indroda Nature Park, the leopard received daily postural management, targeted therapy, and nutritional support under strict isolation to prevent further neurological damage.
The rehabilitation marked rapid progress within weeks:
- Day 3: Animal resumed voluntary feeding and hydration.
- Day 5: Bowel and bladder functions restored naturally.
- Day 40: Leopard successfully stood on all four limbs for the first time.
- Day 75: Regained normal gait and natural posture.
Gujarat Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia praised the rescue and clinical efforts led by GEER Foundation Director B.P. Pati and Deputy Director Amit Naik.
Permanent Sanctuary at Indroda
Despite regaining complete mobility, the leopard retains minor postural deviations and tail drooping. Due to the physical demands of hunting and territorial defence in the wild, authorities elected not to release the animal back into the forest. It will now reside permanently in a naturalistic habitat within Indroda Nature Park.
Upgrading Gujarat's Wildlife Healthcare
The successful intervention comes as GEER Foundation expands its clinical capabilities in 2026, having already executed over 10 major wildlife rescue and rehabilitation operations this year, including three adult leopard rescues and specialized care for two critically ill cubs.
To support future emergencies, a state-of-the-art wildlife veterinary hospital is currently under construction at Indroda Nature Park. The upcoming facility will feature digital radiography, ultrasonography, a dedicated surgical suite, pathology labs, and an intensive care unit to handle complex wildlife trauma across Gujarat.
