Field based standard operating procedure for reuniting Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) cubs in Maharashtra, India: Consolidating years of successful practice

Abstract

Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) cubs are frequently separated from their mothers due to natural calamities, human interference, or habitat encroachment, necessitating timely intervention to facilitate effective reunification. This report documents 73 successful reunions involving 112 leopard cubs between 2009 and 2024 across the districts of Ahmednagar, Pune, Satara, and Nashik in Maharashtra State, India. A standardized reunification protocol was developed and implemented, emphasizing rapid response, comprehensive health assessments, and specific procedures to maximize the chances of maternal retrieval. Community awareness initiatives were integrated to reduce human interference and enhance conservation outcomes. The results demonstrate that timely reunification guided by this protocol can successfully restore displaced cubs to their mothers, contributing to both species conservation and animal welfare. The protocol presented here has potential applications for other wild felid species.