(ECNS) -- A snow leopard cub rescued in northwest China's Qinghai Province has died after 26 days of intensive medical treatment, the Xining Wildlife Park said in a statement posted on its WeChat account on Monday.
The cub, named Ling Xiaohan, was transferred to the Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center on Oct. 7 by the Tianjun branch of the Qinghai Lake Scenic Area Administration. Initial examinations revealed multiple skull fractures, multifocal cerebral hemorrhages, brain swelling and an intracranial infection.
The center immediately began treatment, including nutritional support, measures to stabilize the cub's condition and anti-infective therapy.
During treatment, the cub experienced frequent, prolonged and severe seizures, prompting veterinarians to adjust the treatment plan and provide continuous intensive care. Despite a slight improvement, the cub remained extremely weak and in critical condition.
At around 2 a.m. on Sunday, the cub suddenly lapsed into a coma and developed heart and respiratory failure. It died at 2:28 a.m. despite emergency efforts to save it, the center said.
The center expressed regret that it had been unable to save the cub, saying it would review the treatment process, learn from the experience and address shortcomings to improve its wildlife rescue capabilities.
The snow leopard is under first-class national protection in China and is a flagship species of alpine ecosystems. The health of its population directly reflects habitat connectivity and the ecological integrity of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
(By Zhang Dongfang)
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