A leopard that had been terrorising residents of Bhalra village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district for several weeks was successfully captured on Saturday by teams of the Wildlife Department and the Territorial Forest Wing.
Officials said the fully grown male leopard had recently attacked a teenage boy and killed dozens of domestic animals, including sheep, goats and dogs, triggering panic among villagers living near the forested area.
Range Officer, Kishtwar, Shafer Iqbal said wildlife officials launched an extensive search operation after receiving repeated complaints from locals. Following a detailed survey of the area, a trap was laid and the leopard was safely captured without the use of tranquilisers.
The animal has been shifted to the Wildlife Rescue and Trauma Centre in Kishtwar, where it will undergo a medical examination before being released back into its natural habitat.
Residents of Bhalra welcomed the development, saying the leopard’s capture has brought much-needed relief. Students and shepherds had been avoiding venturing outdoors due to fear of attacks. A local student said many were unable to attend college after the leopard injured a boy on his way to school.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department appealed to the public to avoid entering wildlife habitats unnecessarily and urged people to immediately inform forest or wildlife officials if they spot any wild animal instead of chasing it or trying to record videos.
Officials also attributed the increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict to shrinking forest habitats and food scarcity, which force animals such as leopards and bears to enter human settlements in search of food.(Agencies)
