A leopard fell in an open well in a field at Badnera when the stray dog it was chasing fell in the same well on the intervening night of Friday-Saturday. The rescue team and forest staff rescued both the animals on Saturday morning.
Vinod Dhawale, Round Officer, Badnera, informed The Live Nagpur that he received phone calls from the farmer and other villagers around 6.30 am about the incident of falling both leopard and dog in the well situated near Ram Meghe Engineering College, Badnera in Amravati district. The well belonged to Arvind Ambadkar. He informed the Range Forest Officers from Badnera and Wadali as well as the rescue team about the incident, who then rushed to the spot for rescue operation along with cage, cot, nets, and other materials.
It was interesting sight to see the predator and prey were taking shelter on a log in the well. Dhawale, RFO Sachin Newarfe, RFO Kailash Bhumbar, staff members, and workers of Prahar organisation started the rescue operation in the morning. Meanwhile, a number of villagers gathered at the spot while Badnera police controlled the mob and allowed forestmen to conduct the operation peacefully.
When the members lowered a cage in the well the leopard jumped in it and shutter of it got closed. The wild animal was successfully taken out of the well and sent to Wadali Bamboo Garden. Veterinary doctor examined the body and found no injuries. It is under close observation of the doctor.
Then, forestmen lowered the cot in an inverted manner while the dog in distress condition preferred to sit on it. Soon after, forestmen took the dog out of the well it immediately ran away.
The Deputy Conservator Chandrashekhar Bala and other higher authorities will take a decision in a day or two to release the leopard in its natural habitat if the doctor gives a fitness certificate.
It is reported that the same leopard probably killed three goats and injured another three in the nearby Wadad village in the field of Amar Yadav a couple of days back.