Conservation efforts at Sepahijala Zoo suffered a setback after a hand-reared clouded leopard cub died of anaemia on September 26. The cub was one of two clouded leopards hand-reared by biologists as part of efforts to conserve the endangered species.

Born in 2022, both cubs were separated from their biological parents for a few months and successfully hand-reared—a milestone hailed nationally as India’s first instance of successful clouded leopard hand-rearing.

Sepahijala Zoo Director Siddhartha Debbarma said that while both cubs were initially healthy, one recently showed signs of weakness. Medical tests revealed it was suffering from anaemia. Despite efforts by the zoo’s veterinary team, the cub could not be saved.

Debbarma explained that the cub was genetically weak, noting that bre

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