Leopard with neurological disorder forgets identity, villagers ridicule wild animal

The viral leopard who was seen treated like an object of ridicule in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh, is apparently suffering from a neurological disorder in which the animal forgets its identity, said a doctor who is also in-charge of Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya - where the leopard was taken for treatment. 

After the sick leopard was brought to Indore Zoo from Dewas district for treatment, Dr Uttam Yadav (In-charge, Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya) said, "It was brought from the Dewas forest range at around 10 am and we started its treatment at 11 am. The primary symptoms, that have been noticed, seem neurological... There could be many reasons for this... The villagers were treating and handling this leopard like a calf. This was very surprising. This is a case of neurological disorder, in which the animal forgets his identity... The leopard's condition is critical. The Wildlife Forensic Lab of Jabalpur is coming to collect samples...Something can be said only after the report comes..." 

A weekend wild leopard by illness on Tuesday entered MP's Dewas district, who was maltreated. The shocking abuse of the leopard was caught on cameras and the footage surfaced on social media on Wednesday. The forest department rescued the leopard near Kalisindh River and took him to the hospital. 

In the video footage, the wild animal appears disoriented and walks around slowly, as a mob follows it, laughing and jeering. Some men in the crowd are heard asking others not to tease it, but it doesn't stop. A few of them are heard saying, "Let's take it to the village." Others refuse and try to nudge it back in the jungle.

Several villagers further took selfies with the leopard and one tried to hop on its back in an attempt to ride on it.

Take a look at the video: 

Villagers take selfie with a seemingly dazed and confused leopard in Iklera, MP. This could've gone so wrong. Thankfully the leopard was rescued by Forest Department. pic.twitter.com/KISTIasfqD

— Gautam Trivedi (@KaptanHindustan) August 30, 2023