Leopard trapped in cage in Nadarpur fields

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

A leopard that had spread panic for several days in Nadarpur fields of Kannad taluka was trapped in a forest department cage around 3 am on Friday, bringing relief to farmers dependent on dairy farming and large livestock.

The animal’s movement had intensified recently and was captured on CCTV at farmer Dadarav Nikam’s cowshed, prompting villagers to demand immediate action. Acting on the request, the Sillod forest division installed a cage near the cowshed on February 22, placing a dog as bait. Assistant conservator of forests Swapnil Bhamre urged residents to inform the department without panicking if the leopard was sighted.

Early Friday, Nikam heard a loud noise, checked the CCTV footage, and found the leopard trapped. He secured the cage and alerted officials. A team led by range forest officer Yashpal Dilpak later took custody of the animal. The operation involved Bhamre, forester R.M. Shaikh, and forest guards Anil Ingale, Kalyan Khokad, Azeem Shaikh, Vishal Jadhav and Aref Sayyed. The leopard was shifted to the forest nursery at Phulambri, where assistant veterinary commissioner Dr Siddiqui confirmed it to be a healthy two-year-old female. As per senior’s directions, it will be released into its natural habitat.

Photo caption: Forest department team shifting the captured female leopard to another location.