Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Feb 23: A leopard was trapped in a cage placed by the forest department at Devalagujji in Kuntalanagar on Sunday.

Following complaints from locals that a leopard had been moving around the Devalagujji area for the past two weeks, the Forest Department had installed a cage last week to capture the animal. The leopard, which came in search of food in the morning, got trapped in the cage.

On noticing this, local residents immediately informed the Udupi range Forest Department. Forest officials who arrived at the spot, with the cooperation of locals, carried out an operation and rescued the leopard.

The female leopard, aged about 2-3 years, was later examined by veterinary officials and subsequently released into the sanctuary, Forest Department officials said.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Udupi range forest officer Varijakshi, and deputy range forest officers Mohammad Junaid Akhtar and Shivananda, forest guard Srinivasa Jogi, and Uchchu Trust coordinator Akshay Shet participated in the operation.