Leopard caught in trap at Moodottu

TNN / Media source

MANGALORE, 09 August 2010: A four-year-old female leopard, which strayed into the human habitat, got caught in the wild boar snare prepared by villagers at Moodottu, Kavalpadoor village of Bantwal taluk, on Sunday.

 

The leopard was trapped in the snare for more than four hours with none of the villagers daring to go near it as it was in an attacking mood. The forest department staff, who arrived at the spot upon receipt of news, called Pilikula Biological Park authorities, who sent veterinary officer Dr Jitesh, supervisor Roshan and scientific officer Vikram to the spot.

 

 

The leopard was shot by a tranquilizer dart using a blow pipe and was taken back to the park at 4 pm. Jayaprakash Bhandary, director, Pilikula Biological Park at Vamanjoor, told TOI that the leopard may have suffered internal injuries as it was snared in a wire trap at the torso and it has been kept under observation.

 

 

He said, the leopard, which is three to four years old, will be left in the wild once it recovers. "If it recovers fast, it will be left in the wild, lest we will have to keep it," he said. The park already has five panthers and authorities are worried that it will add to the burden, due to lack of sponsors.

 

Vikram said it was too early to say definitive about the condition as the animal has to be kept under observation for 24 hours and they have monitor its eating habits.