In a first, leopard caught in Sirumugai forests

Thereafter, the five-year-old leopard was let off into the deep jungles in Thengumarahada in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. 

Though the public frequently spotted the leopard straying out of the forest areas, it could not be captured for the past several months. The big cat often frequented the residential settlements in ‘Chennamalai karadu’ and preyed on goats and dogs bred by the locals. 

Locals claimed that the leopard had so far killed four goats and over 30 dogs. The Sirumugai forest cover has a good prey base of spotted deer and is considered to be an ideal location for the animal.

After persistent demands, the Forest department placed traps in many places to capture the animal, however, it continued to remain evasive.  

A few days ago, a cage was put up with a live dog in it as bait, at a farm owned by one Eswaran in Mothipalayam village. 

The forest department staff, who went to feed the dog on Monday morning found the agitated leopard trapped inside the cage. 

As news of the leopard being trapped spread out, people from many neighbouring villages came to take a glance at the animal. Thereafter, the big cat was translocated in a lorry and released into the forests away from human settlements.

The Forest department has also decided to keep track on the movement of the leopard for the next few days to ensure that it is safe and copes up with its new habitat. 

This is for the first time that a leopard was trapped in the Sirumugai forest range.