Paranda (Dist. Dharashiv): A leopard which had caused havoc in the Kapilapuri area of Paranda tehsil for the past three days, was finally trapped by the forest department on Thursday night. Interestingly, just a day before, the same leopard had broken through the bars of the same cage and escaped after snatching a goat. However, when it re-entered the trap to hunt a goat on Thursday at 11 pm, it was successfully captured, much to the relief of local farmers.
On October 17, a leopard was spotted by farmers in the Sonari area of the tehsil while hunting a deer. Since then, it had been attacking livestock in the region for nearly five months. In the last three days, it had attacked three farm animals in the Kapilapuri area. On Wednesday night, the leopard had entered the cage set up by the forest department, which contained a goat as bait. However, it managed to break through the bars and escape with the goat.
Following this, the cage was repaired and repositioned in the farm of Vardhaman Jain in Kapilapuri. At around 11 pm on Thursday, the leopard returned to hunt again and entered the same trap. This time, there were no mistakes, and the animal was successfully captured. Upon receiving the information, a team from the forest department rushed to the site and took the leopard into their custody. Officials stated that the leopard would undergo a medical examination and, if found fit, would be released into its natural habitat.
The operation to capture the leopard was conducted under the guidance of divisional forest officer B A Paul.
Circle officer Nanasaheb Sonawane quickly arranged for a vehicle to transport the cage to Yedshi. Forest officials estimate that the captured leopard is a four-year-old male.