A leopard struck by a vehicle near Shamlaji in Aravalli district, Gujarat, and left with complete hind-limb paralysis has regained its natural gait following months of intensive specialised veterinary care at the Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation in Gandhinagar. The recovery, described by wildlife officials as medically remarkable given the severity of the spinal injury, marks one of the most complex leopard rehabilitation cases handled in Gujarat in recent years.

How the Accident Happened

The leopard was critically injured on 19 January after being struck by a vehicle on the Kheracha-Khodambha Highway in Aravalli district. Forest Department personnel rescued the animal and transferred it to a departmental facility, where veterinary officers of the Department of Animal Husbandry administered initial treatment. Given the severity of its condition, the leopard was subsequently referred to the GEER Foundation for advanced diagnostics and specialised wildlife care.

The Diagnosis: A Severe Spinal Fracture

On 20 January, the Aravalli Forest Division arranged for the leopard to be taken to the Referral Centre, Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex at Rajpur, Himatnagar, under Kamdhenu University, for radiographic examination. The animal was anaesthetised for the procedure.

Radiographs revealed a traumatic lumbosacral fracture-subluxation at the L7-S1 region, with suspected involvement of the lumbosacral articular elements — an area closely associated with nerve roots governing hind-limb function, tail movement, and pelvic control. The injury explained the animal's complete inability to stand or bear weight on its hind limbs.

B.P. Pati, Director of the GEER Foundation, described the initial condition: 'The leopard's condition was critical. It was completely paralysed in both hind limbs, could not stand and was forced to drag its hindquarters using its forelimbs. Given the severity of its neurological condition, the animal was referred for advanced investigation and specialised wildlife veterinary care.'

The leopard had also sustained a serious lower-jaw injury, with drooping of the lower lips, extensive soft-tissue damage, and infection of the oral and gingival tissues, making it initially unable to eat or drink — further complicating an already life-threatening situation.

Rehabilitation: Day by Day

After being admitted to the GEER Foundation's veterinary hospital at Indroda Nature Park in Gandhinagar, the leopard was housed in a specially designed treatment cage to minimise stress. Human interaction was kept to a minimum, with the team relying on distant observation to monitor progress.

Amit Naik, Deputy Director of the GEER Foundation, outlined the treatment protocol: 'A specially designed treatment cage provided a controlled, low-stress environment. Human interaction was minimised, while the animal was monitored through distant observation. Its movement was carefully restricted to prevent further injury to the lumbosacral region. The veterinary team provided intensive daily treatment, including postural management, controlled positioning, nutritional support and feed supplementation.'

Recovery milestones came steadily. The leopard voluntarily began taking food and water within three days and was passing urine and faeces normally by day five. By the end of the first week, its aggressive and defensive responses towards approaching personnel had returned — a behavioural signal of improving neurological function and overall strength. Around day 20, it began raising its body using its forelimbs. By approximately day 40, it could stand on all four limbs, though weight-bearing on the hind limbs remained difficult.

Naik noted the progression: 'By approximately the 50th day, its posture had become more natural. At around two months, the leopard began walking inside the treatment enclosure. About two months and 15 days after the accident, it had regained its natural body posture and normal gait.'

Permanent Home at Indroda Nature Park

Despite the remarkable recovery, the leopard continues to show slight postural deviation and tail drooping — residual effects of the spinal injury. Authorities have decided against releasing it into the wild, where challenges in hunting, movement, territorial defence, and threat avoidance could leave it dangerously vulnerable.

The animal will remain permanently at Indroda Nature Park, a 400-hectare facility in Gandhinagar managed by the GEER Foundation, in a naturalistic environment under appropriate care and supervision.

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia congratulated the GEER Foundation team on the successful rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of the leopard.

GEER Foundation's Growing Wildlife Healthcare Role

The case comes as the GEER Foundation expands its wildlife healthcare capabilities. In 2026 alone, its veterinary team has conducted more than 10 wildlife rescue, emergency treatment, and rehabilitation operations across Gujarat — including the rescue of three adult leopards from life-threatening situations and specialised referral care for two critically ill leopard cubs.

A modern wildlife veterinary hospital is also under development at Indroda Nature Park. The planned facility will include digital radiography, ultrasonography, a dedicated operation theatre, an intensive care unit, a pathology laboratory, a neonatal care unit, outpatient facilities, recovery rooms, a pharmacy, and a reference library. The veterinary wing is currently led by a full-time Wildlife Veterinary Officer with more than 13 years of experience in wildlife healthcare, rescue, and emergency management.

Pati said the case underscores 'the importance of timely rescue, advanced diagnostic imaging, specialised wildlife veterinary treatment and prolonged rehabilitation in treating severely injured wild animals' — a model that Gujarat's forest authorities are now seeking to institutionalise.