3 leopard cubs are dead. Letters were written for their release, but ignored

At the Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) in Seminary Hills, Nagpur, three leopard cubs born in March 2026 have tragically died, despite multiple appeals from the center’s veterinary officer for their immediate release into a suitable forest habitat. On October 31, the third cub was found deceased beneath its mother’s cage.

The veterinary officer had written three letters between August 3 and October 13, urging the release of both the mother leopard and her cubs. In these letters, the officer expressed grave concerns about the risks the animals faced due to their continued confinement in the cages. In January 2026, an adult conflict leopard was rescued and brought to the TTC, giving birth to the three cubs three months later.

Following a medical examination, the officer certified the cubs as fit for release into their natural habitat, leading to the first letter of recommendation on August 3. Despite this, the animals remained in captivity, and the first fatality occurred on September 1. The officer notified the authorities, noting that one cub had died after getting its head trapped between the cage bars as it attempted to squeeze through them.

On September 29, the second cub met a similar fate, and the third cub died a few days later. The TTC officials admitted to raising concerns about the non-functional CCTV cameras, which impeded the monitoring of the animals' well-being. The Range Forest Officer, Prakash Bhadange, stated that the decision to release rescued animals is ultimately made by a forest department committee.