Management of Gunshot Bullet in a Rescued Leopard (Panthera pardus)

A male leopard was rescued from free range area in Kangra Dist. of Himachal Pradesh in India after tranquillization with ketamine (8 mg/kgbwt) and xylazine (1.5 mg/kgbwt). The leopard was trapped in the body gripper trap with injuries on various parts of the body. On physical examination of animal there was found a gun bullet underneath the skin. The bullet was surgically removed successfully and animal recovered well.