leopard rescue

A lost leopard cub was rescued in Himachal Pradesh when a resident found it trembling and made sure it received protection from forest officials.

From a 16-ft king cobra in Kerala to a trapped koel in Delhi, these four animal rescues show how ordinary people across India are answering nature’s call for help — with ropes, courage, and compassion.

Cubs often get separated from their mothers when the leopards venture out to hunt, leaving their off-springs in dens or in the dense sugarcane fields that are abundantly found in this region.

From bans on animal fighting and repeat animal testing to heartwarming rescue efforts, the hard work of animal lovers definitely paid off this year. Here's a round-up of the 12 times India came together for animals and animal welfare in 2016.