Bhubaneswar: Senior vet surgeons of the Odisha University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) on Tuesday began the treatment of an injured leopard which was rescued from Athmallik wildlife zone on Monday.
The forest staff had rescued the injured leopard from inside Nakan PWD bungalow premises under Athmallik Wildlife Division on Monday. It was later taken to the Nandankanan zoo where the zoo staff conducted preliminary treatment. But as the health condition of the leopard deteriorated, it was shifted to the veterinary wing of the Odisha University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning where the doctors found that due to deep injuries on the spine, the leopard has gone paralytic as it is unable to move its legs.
Talking to the media here, Prof (Dr) Indramani Nath of OUAT said the treatment of paralysis is the most complicated process.
“I am not in a position to say anything about the recovery of the injured leopard. After giving infra red and providing Nervine tonic for two weeks, we will keep the injured tiger in a sling. If we notice the movement of the tail or leg, then only we can say that the tiger will completely recover from the injury,” he added.
Dr Sushen Kumar Panda, a vet surgeon of OUAT veterinary wing, said the extent of injury the leopard has sustained can be known in course of time.
“Now the treatment and diagnosis of the tiger is underway. After examining the injuries in the muscle, nerve and bone, all we can say that though the duration of treatment would be longer, there might be some improvement in the future”, Panda said.
As informed by SS Srivastav, PCCF, Wildlife, it is most likely that the leopard has fractured its backbone after falling on a hard object while jumping. The injured leopard would be kept at the Nandankanan till its complete recovery.
Talking about the condition of the leopard, Sudarshan Panda, Director, Nandankanan, said
at present, the tiger is being looked after by senior professors of surgery, pathology and neurology at the OUAT.
“Besides, we have also decided to consult other vet experts for its better treatment. We will keep it in the zoo till its complete recovery after which we will leave it in the wild”, he pointed out.