Babysitting cubs

For the past 15 days, locals from Ghoti Khurd village, near Darna dam, are taking care of two leopard cubs while their mother wanders off in search of water and food.

“The cubs are around 20-25 days old. To save them from the scorching heat, I picked up the cubs and kept them on the temple premises,” said Atmaram Phokane, gram panchayat member.

The youth take care of the cubs after the mother leaves around 11am. The villagers keep milk and water for them. By evening, they open the temple gates and the cubs move towards the sugarcane field from where their mother picks them up.

“Till now, we haven’t had any leopard attacks. We feel that she has seen us taking care of the cubs, but then you can’t predict an animal’s behaviour. We have asked officials to take the animals to their natural habitat. That would be best for them,” Phokane added.