Rescued Hong Kong leopard cat ‘growing stronger, preparing to return to wild’

A leopard cat rescued after being spotted by hikers is growing stronger and is being prepared to be returned to Hong Kong’s wilderness soon, according to the organisation behind the feline’s rehabilitation.

Hikers discovered the animal in a catchwater drain in April and sought help from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), with the cat later sent to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden for care and treatment.

“Our rehabilitators worked long hours supporting the cat with its needs,” Kadoorie Farm wrote in a social media post on Thursday.

“First bottle-feeding, then helping it to transition to solid food, all while trying to prevent the young cat from becoming too habituated to humans.”

It said that the cat received a full health check after nearly two months of care and now weighed close to 1kg (2.2lbs), adding that the animal had gone from being a kitten to a juvenile.

“It is now back with the rehab team, who are helping it develop the skills it needs to survive and thrive back in the wild,” the farm said.