Saviors for leopardess

Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata’s concern for the well-being of Laxmi, the 19-year-old paralyzed leopardess in the Bombay zoo, is ensuring that she receives the best medical care and attention.

A water-bed (and later a hay bed) specially placed in Laxmi’s cage is expected to bring relief to the cat covered with bed sores. A group of super speciality veterinarians from South Africa were being flown in, Tata informed the Vansmith Animal Foundation (VAF) which is presently taking care of the leopardess, as reported in the Mumbai Mirror of August 7, 2006.

Ratan Tata: brought relief

Since Laxmi had lately been showing no interest in food and been unable to move even within her cage, the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) which manages the zoo thought of putting Laxmi out of her misery with euthanasia. They obtained the necessary permission from the chief conservator of forests and the Central Zoo authority, consulted a team of zoo veterinarians,

representatives of the Animal Welfare Board, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and finally fixed July 15 as the date for administering euthanasia. Fearing a public outcry, at the nth hour the BMC abandoned its plan, as reported by Mumbai Mirror.

VAF’s efforts to give Laxmi shock treatment did not help. With Tata agreeing to pay for all medical expenses, Laxmi can be sure of the best treatment hereafter.