When it comes to the animal kingdom, human beings will never fully understand what actually happens there. However, they would always try to do so as it might impact their safety and well-being. That was the reason why one farmer in an Indian state set up a camera next to his home - his family might have been in danger because of the predator nearby.
When he first saw the leopard enter his property he knew he had to act immediately. The leopard was known to eat other small animals and cows and he did not want his family to become its next victim. Why was the leopard keep on returning to his home? To find that out, the farmer decided to set up a camera. One day, he carefully watched the leopard approaching his house. What he saw next, left the man shocked. He rushed to his family to share the shocking news and to make sure that what he saw was actually true.
A Dangerous Guest
The state of Gujarat is a beautiful western state of India. Residents of the state enjoy the ocean's cool breeze in the sweltering heat but are also at the mercy of animals in the water and the land. Gujarat is full of opportunities for hungry leopards. The farming community has many cows and small animals that are a delicious dessert to the cunning animal.
Leopards are only concerned about their safety and finding their next meal. It’s a scary world for the lone beast, but no one would imagine the torture it would inflict on one family. One leopard proved a family’s long-time suspicion with this simple act.
The Village Outcry
In June 2002, the Antoli village was dealing with a problem. They were surrounded by dense forest but were attracting predators leaving their families and livestock at risk. The villagers knew something had to change but lacked the resources or weapons to defend themselves.
The leopard causing the problems was often found in the sugar cane fields. She was cunning and quiet, appearing at night time and taking a chicken or a goat from the local families. How long would these small critters satisfy her large appetite?
Guard Dogs Met Their Match
Many families had invested in guard dogs and were trying to get any protection possible. Unfortunately, the female leopard saw these dogs as dessert and had no problem killing them as well. The village was frantic and had no idea what it should do next.
The female leopard could attack any household when she wanted. No one was safe after dark. One family, in particular, was intrigued with the leopard's behavior. They would have to be careful they didn’t become her next prey.
Did This Leopard Have Cubs?
The village residents weren’t sure if the female leopard was completely alone. They knew that many leopards liked to live in high fields because the long grass was able to protect their cubs. Was anyone brave enough to venture into the fields and find out if she lived alone?
The risk of walking into her den was huge, but would the results be worth it? What would the villagers do if they found her cubs unattended? Each action had to be carefully calculated because one misstep meant instant death.
An Official Ambush
After public outcry, local officials realized they would have to take matters into their own hands. They decided to plant a trap and surround the leopard the next time she came into the village.
It took a few days to figure out her movements, but finally, the moment arrived where she was caught! The local officials had finally rescued their people from their worse nightmare. No one would guess that the violence was only just beginning.
Release And Return
The local officials that had trapped the leopard didn’t want to kill her so they released her far away from the town. They decided if she couldn’t find them then it was a safer solution and more humane approach.
A year after they released the leopard, local villagers were shocked to see her returning to their streets. This time she was moving swiftly over rooftops and not even sticking to the high grass fields. The leopard had returned for revenge.
A Second Look
The villagers began to study this leopard closely. She was doing so many different things from her first visit and also seemed less confident. The villagers also decided this was a smaller leopard than before.
It didn’t take long for them to realize that this must be the baby of the female leopard they saw before. This meant the mother had not returned and this leopard cub was all by itself. Would a family take pity on the animal or would it remain vicious and pounce on unsuspecting livestock?
A Strange Connection
One family that lived on the outskirts of town was seeing the leopard cub frequently. They called for the local authorities but also realized the leopard had not attacked any of their animals.
On their farm, they had many cows. The farmers knew if the leopard attacked they would not be able to defend their property against her. It made the family question what was she waiting for? One night, the farmer followed her as he watched her enter his barn. He stepped foot into the space behind her and knew he was risking his life for a glimpse of the truth.
The First Glimpse
The farmer could not believe what he was witnessing between the cow and the leopard cub. It went against everything he knew about nature and made him question the animal kingdom. He didn’t know if he should keep it a secret, but after telling one person, his experience spread through the village like wildfire.
Local authorities got wind of this rumor and thought it was a prank. What they were hearing through the village had never been witnessed before. They knew they would have to investigate, but would they be able to get close to the leopard and tell the tale?
What Was The Rumour?
The farmer had told his wife that the leopard visited their farm every night. He usually saw it enter the property around 9:30 pm and would stay for one or two hours. Every evening when the farmer knew the leopard left he went to check on his cattle and livestock.
Each night he came back to the house surprised and mystified. The leopard was not killing or eating any of his animals, so what was he doing for the two hours he stayed on the farmer's land. The farmer didn’t know if he should investigate further, but he needed answers to this burning question.
A Routine Like Clockwork
The farmer told his wife to watch the leopard with him one night. He told her when the leopard entered the property and then they waited to watch until the feline slinked away into the shadows. The wife ran to the barn convinced her husband was lying about the safety of their cows and chickens.
She returned to the house in a daze. He was correct, all their animals were still alive in the barn and there was no damage to speak of. They would have to enter the barn while the leopard was on their property. They were about to witness something that defied the animal kingdom.
It Was Now Or Never
The farmer and his wife knew they had to see what was happening when the leopard came on their property. They couldn’t handle the suspense or live in fear another day longer. When they saw the leopard again, they both followed it quietly to the barn.
Normally at this point, the farmer would try to wait a safe distance away or make noise to scare the leopard. Instead, they walked into the barn and gasped at what they saw. It felt like neither of them could move. When they wanted to run and scream they were frozen in place, which could be a fatal decision…..
The History Of The Leopard
The villagers recognized that the leopard they saw today was the cub of a leopard they had captured years ago. This meant the leopard would have lost their mother years before and had a very lonely existence.
As a cub, it would have craved family and a nurturing presence. Leopards are notoriously solitary, but when you are alone in the world you find family wherever you can. The farmer and his wife took a step back and left the barn, they were in awe of what they had witnessed.
An Unlikely Mother
When the leopard entered the barn, the farmer's bulls skirted in fear and ran in opposite directions. The leopard knew exactly what it wanted and instead of chasing the bulls for a meal found one cow to approach.
The cow did not flinch or run in fear. In fact, the farmer and his wife watched in awe as the cow seemed to be waiting for the leopard. The leopard came to the farm often, but the cow was not scared or injured. What happened next was a complete shock to the farmer and his wife!
A Bond Unlike Any Other
The leopard approached the cow and curled up next to the animal. The farmer's jaw dropped open as he saw the cow begin to lick the leopard. Even more amazing that the leopard seemed to appreciate the cow's embrace.
The farmer could not believe his ears, but this leopard was purring. A deep low sound of comfort and bliss. The farmer and his wife knew at any moment they could be spotted but they couldn’t look away from the unnatural duo.
A Connection Of Love
The leopard seemed to relax and lounge against the cow's embrace. It also appeared as if the leopard was explaining something to the cow. As the cow continued to care for the leopard cub, the farmer swore they were also having a conversation and connecting in a manner the farmer didn’t know was possible.
For years, the villagers had been terrified of this ferocious beast. Witnessing this moment between the leopard and the cow seemed to defy nature's expectations. The farmer was shocked but the wife had big plans with this unnatural sight.
They Had To Tell The Authorities
While the farmer thought he was witnessing something magical, the wife thought it was unnatural. She wanted the leopard off her property and knew the local authorities would have to trap it. When she called them to come quickly, they laughed her off the phone.
The police force could not believe the story this woman was telling them. A leopard and a cow being friends? A leopard is not attacking after visiting the same farm for a week. It was impossible. They decided to make a visit and witness this unnatural act themselves.
It Was An Impossible Sight
The farmer and his wife told the authorities the leopard always visited between 9:30-11 pm. They made themselves comfortable and found a place where they would be able to witness the leopard's arrival.
The leopard also noticed that there were more people on the property and used a different point of entry to the field. The authorities almost missed the feline entirely as it slunk into the barn. This was the moment they were waiting for! With their guns ready, they began to run into the barn but stopped in their tracks.
Nuzzling And Nurturing
While the force stormed the barn, the leopard was able to make a quick escape. Before it ran out the door the force saw that it was completely cuddled against the cow. Even after the force had rushed in, the cow remained unbothered and did not look in danger.
The officers were scratching their heads. They expected to capture a wild beast and be local heroes. Was the farmer's wife correct? Were they the only violent creatures disturbing this local farm? They would have to return with an entirely new plan. It was something that had never been done before, and this meant they had no idea if it would even work.
Onlookers Instead Of Protesters
The next time the authorities visited the farmers' land, they remained quiet and stood on the neighboring rooftop looking down into the other farmers' barn. They saw something they would have never believed. The leopard cub was safely cuddled against the cow and no harm was coming to any animals on the property.
What could this possibly mean, and even more importantly, what should the authorities do? They had no reason to capture the beast but at any second the leopard could turn on the farmer and his family. Was the village safe if they let the leopard and cow continue their friendship?
Everyone Had An Opinion
News of the mysterious connection between the leopard and the cow spread quickly through the village. People began to gather to witness the event and each time everyone left unharmed. Villagers thought they would witness the leopard lose its temper but all it wanted to do was see the cow.
The authorities were in unknown territory. They didn’t know if they could trust the leopard and decided to visit the village elders for advice. With all their combined years on earth, they must have witnessed this before. The authorities didn’t expect their advice to be so difficult to carry out.
We Have To Think Of Everyone
The village elders listened to the authorities and the farmers' story. They grew quiet and then revealed they had never heard of an animal acting this way. They recognized the leopard wanted a family but they had to consider the safety of the village.
The elders were concerned that if the leopard roamed free, one day it might attack a different farm, or even worse a small child. In order to be proactive, they told the authorities they must trap the leopard. No one considered that the leopard would not leave without a fight, and the villagers quickly learned they were no longer in charge of the situation.
The Perfect Trap
The authorities decided to design a trap for the leopard. They did not want to harm the animal and planned to release it in the same place they put the cub's mother years before. The trap was a simple cage they used a goat as bait. They expected the leopard to devour the goat without hesitation.
Instead, the leopard continued to circle the cage, walking towards the goat but avoiding being caught. This went on for several days and to everyone’s surprise, the goat was still alive after a week. What was the leopard eating if it was refusing this free meal? They would have to do drastic measures if they wanted the leopard gone for good.
A Tranquilizer Dart
The villagers agreed if the leopard would not take the bait, they would have to use a tranquilizer dart. Once the leopard was asleep they could put it in a cart and take it far away. At this point, the village did not want to harm the leopard and everyone was divided on the best course of action.
When the day arrived for the huntsman to shoot the leopard, everyone held their breath for the big moment. The leopard had become part of the farmer's daily routine and he worried how the cow would feel once the leopard was gone. It turns out the leopard had its own plan instead.
Disappearing Without A Trace
The leopard had a sixth sense of survival and disappeared from the small village. It wasn’t seen at all, but alarming reports from neighboring villages began arriving. A leopard was terrorizing the community and eating dogs. It never attacked anything bigger than that but the local village was confused about where the leopard had come from.
The farmer and his wife knew that this was their family’s leopard and vowed not to interfere again if it came back home. They realized they missed the leopard and the farmer's cow also seemed changed. One night, with just the light of the moon, the farmer saw a familiar swish of the feline in the shadows.
The Last Visit
No one can say if the leopard came to say good-bye, but it never returned to the village. The farmer confided in his wife that the leopard had stayed for the entire evening and he watched the leopard leave in the morning. The cow was unharmed and none of their other livestock were injured.
No one in the village ever saw the leopard again, but the town never forgot the strange and intimate connection these two animals shared. The authorities reached out to the wildlife experts and were surprised by the response they received.
A WildLife Expert Opinion
When they explained the situation the experts confirmed that nothing like this had ever been recorded. They didn’t know how to explain it, except the leopard must have met the cow before its natural predator instincts kicked in. The beast formed a bond at a young age and then had to fight against its natural killer instincts to keep the only family it knew.
Nothing like this unusual bond has happened since, but the community would not rule it out from happening again in the future. The story continues to be passed down as a tale of love and nurture in an animal kingdom where so many are left to fend for themselves in lives of solitude.