Leopard cub found dead during reunion attempt near Marudhamalai in Coimbatore

A leopard cub that was rescued from the Marudhamalai foothills in Coimbatore was found dead early on Thursday (December 25, 2025) during efforts by the Forest department to reunite it with its mother, officials said.

The cub, rescued on Wednesday (December 24) from a house at the Marudhamalai foothills, was placed in a cave-like structure built using natural rocks in the adjoining forest area, following directions from District Forest Officer N. Jayaraj. This was done as part of standard reunion protocols, and the site was kept under continuous monitoring to assess the movement of the mother leopard.

Forest officials said that at around 4.15 a.m., sounds believed to be that of a leopard were heard near the cave. When the structure was checked at around 5 a.m., it was confirmed that the cub was no longer inside.

A review of camera trap footage later showed that two leopards had visited the area near the cave between approximately 1.45 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. The footage also indicated that the cub had moved out of the cave at around 4.30 a.m.

Subsequently, two teams of forest personnel were deployed to search the surrounding forest area. At around 5.30 a.m., the cub was found lying about 300 metres away from the cave-like structure. Upon closer examination, officials confirmed that the cub was unresponsive and had died.

Forest officials said the exact cause of death would be ascertained after a post-mortem examination. The autopsy will be conducted in accordance with prescribed guidelines and in the presence of representatives of voluntary organisations, they added.