In a tragic incident, a young clouded leopard has passed away at the Conservation Breeding Centre of Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary on Tuesday.

According to sanctuary authorities, the leopard, born at the centre, succumbed to anemia.

Siddhartha Debbarma, Director of Sepahijala Zoo, explained that the leopard’s weak genetic makeup and low immunity played a significant role in the condition.

“Tests and biopsy reports confirmed that the leopard died due to anemia. Its genetics were weak, and its immunity was very low, which led to the illness. Despite our best efforts and consultations with veterinarians, we were unable to save the animal. It is a great loss,” he said.

Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary is notable for being the first centre in the region to successfully breed and hand-rear clouded leopards.

“There were two clouded leopards at the centre, and one of them suddenly stopped feeding. Further tests revealed that it was suffering from anemia,” Debbarma added.