Forest department officials successfully captured a leopard in Chamoli village, Nainital district, on Friday. The big cat was found trapped in a cage that the department had installed earlier. This incident marks the third leopard capture in this area within just one week.
Villagers Alert Officials After Spotting Trapped Animal
Local residents first noticed the leopard stuck in the cage. They immediately informed forest officials about the situation. The team rushed to the spot and secured the animal safely. Villagers expressed relief following the capture, as they had been living in constant fear due to repeated leopard sightings in recent times.
Recent Attack Sparked Panic and Prompted Action
The forest department intensified its trapping efforts after a tragic incident on December 30. A 35-year-old woman named Rekha Devi, a resident of gram sabha Chamoli, was mauled to death by a leopard in a daylight attack. This event triggered widespread panic and anger among the local population.
In response, officials identified vulnerable areas and installed multiple cages in and around sensitive villages. Their proactive measures have yielded results quickly.
Series of Captures Within a Short Span
Forest officials reported that the first leopard was captured from the Dhari area on January 6. Another leopard was trapped in Dini village, also in Dhari, on January 14. The latest capture on Friday brings the total to three leopards within seven days.
All captured leopards have been transferred to the Ranibagh rescue centre for proper care and monitoring. Officials stated that they will collect DNA samples from these animals. These samples will undergo forensic analysis to determine if any of the leopards were involved in recent attacks on humans.
The forest department continues to monitor the situation closely. They aim to prevent further conflicts between wildlife and human settlements in the region.
