Leopard Operation
One day, we woke up and we were told the vet was waiting for us. Our reserve had a wildlife veterinarian 24/7, and a wildlife hospital with a great facility to help all wildlife in distress. The hospital was on our side of the reserve, so it was only a 15 minutes drive to arrive.
We arrive and there are a lot of cars and people around. We jumped out of the car and I could hear some people talking German (Deutsch). We can see a lot of camera gear and people fully equipped with all the filming gear.
– Welcome everyone to the wildlife hospital – Kon, another instructor said.
– Why all the cameras? – I asked.
– They are here to film what we are going to do – Kon started – it’s not every day that you operate a leopard – he said.
– Operate a leopard? – I asked with my jaw dropping to the floor.
Before I could continue asking questions, we were rushed to help to transport the leopard to the operating table. We were given latex gloves to protect our leopard. We then went to the location where the leopard was already sedated, and we had to lift her and put her on a plastic blanket to transport her. Her colours were gorgeous.
Leopard in the table and the operation can begin. We were told to keep quiet because they were going to film the whole thing. Also, to try to get out of the shot of the camera. Not an easy task for 12 volunteers.
Our vet, a very cool guy, and kind of an idol for me, began explaining the procedure to the camera.
– First, we start by shaving the area where the implant was – he began – instead of a collar, we decided to use an internal transmitter. The leopards love to go into tight spaces, the collar could difficult their movement. Also, we would need to use a different battery and it wouldn’t last long. This way it lasts for 4 years and it doesn’t disturb the animal – he finished while starting to cut open the skin.
The nurse did an amazing job shaving the area. The other nurse was always checking the vitals of the leopard and seeing if she was breathing and if her eyes were responsive. If they were that would be a bad sign. That would mean that the leopard was waking up.
Sewing the leopard.
The vet continued dissecting the skin with a scalpel, then using forceps to open the wound to get to the transmitter. Then slowly began the excision of the transmitter. When the transmitter was out, I couldn’t believe it. The size of it was enormous.
I know the size might scare you – the vet began – but if it wasn’t this size we would have to do this every year, and that wouldn’t be good – he said. – Looking at it you can see that it is already full of body material. The body adapts to it and holds on to it. This way the transmitter is not wobbling around inside the leopard – he concluded.
When the vet left to go get the new transmitter, the cameraman said he needed another battery. Kon looked at us, volunteers, and said:
– If you want to touch a leopard, now it is the time.
It was like a 100-meter race in the Olympics. The moment he stopped talking, the volunteers sprinted to observe this apex predator closer. Some went to the paws, others to the face, others touching the skin. I went to the front paws, to see the retractable claws. It is amazing how when you press on a place, the claws come out. They are extremely sharp! Very well taken care of. Then I moved on to the face. I wanted to see the whiskers of the leopard. Did you know that the leopard uses its whiskers to help measure if it will fit in some places? It’s a sensory that helps her hunt! Amazing!
After the whiskers, I went for the tongue. It was like sandpaper! Perfect to lick the meat from the bones! I loved it. After this I thanked the leopard for allowing me to learn more and decided to take some photos. I took a few before the camera man returned. When the woman director arrived, everyone jumped out of the leopard like “I’m not touching it”. Her face of disapproval guaranteed us that she wasn’t happy.
Volunteers and vet paying close attention to the leopard
Camera! Set! go! The vet continued to explain now with the new transmitter on his hand, where he was going to place it. Before placing it inside he did a test to check what frequency it was and if it was working. After that it was time to implant the transmitter and sew the wound up and return the leopard to the recovery room. This time, when transporting her, I had the privilege of holding her head.
– João if she wakes up, let go of the head and jump out of the way – the vet explained – that’s why we have both doors open. This way she can escape if she needs to. We don’t want to be locked inside with a wild leopard – he finished.
Great story to tell a person that is holding the head of a wild, powerful leopard. Thankfully she didn’t wake up in my hands. We left her inside the cage and went outside.
– Thank you so much everyone for the help – the vet started – we will keep an eye on her today and if everything works out, we will release her tomorrow.
I was very excited knowing that I would be able to watch the release of the leopard. It was only the second week of my 3 months volunteering and I already had seen 20 new species of birds, lioness hunting and fought a monkey. This place was definitely special.
The next day arrived and we were called to go help with the leopard release. We went to the hospital to help load the crate into the car. We were told the leopard is fully awake and to avoid putting a finger or getting close to the holes in the crate. There is a wild animal in there! We lifted it and we could feel the leopard weight walking inside the crate. After we loaded the crate in the car, we drove all the way to the release area.
Arriving at the release area we stopped in an open area. We placed the crate on the floor facing the thickets about 30 meters in front. The reserve ecologist was the one with the responsibility to open the crate and let the leopard go.
The leopard sprinting from the crate!
Now be careful because the leopard might not come out once it is open – the ecologist started – it might stay inside, it might come out and go for the cars. Also, we have cameras filming so don’t scream or talk so we can get the shot. We won’t have a second chance.
He slowly starts to open the crate; he looks to see if everyone is camera ready before opening everything. He opens very slowly, and the leopard sprints out of the crate. In less than 10 seconds she ran out of sight. I managed to film with the Gopro and also photograph it. I looked around and apparently the cameraman failed to film it. I was the only one who managed to get a nice photo of it.
– Or she can do that – the ecologist said laughing.
It was an amazing experience, and I loved every second of it.
