Leopard Captured on ICRISAT Grounds Near Hyderabad
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Synopsis
On April 17, a leopard was trapped on the ICRISAT campus near Hyderabad, where it had roamed for four days. The Telangana Forest Department captured the healthy male leopard, which is expected to be released into the wild after examination. Efforts continue to locate another leopard still at large on the campus.
Key Takeaways
- One of two leopards captured by Telangana Forest Department.
- Leopard is a healthy male aged 5-6 years.
- ICRISAT staff first spotted the leopards on Monday.
- Camera traps and baited cages were used for capture.
- Another leopard is believed to still be on campus.
Hyderabad, April 17 (NationPress) One of the two leopards that had been wandering on the premises of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) at Patancheru, close to Hyderabad, for the past four days was successfully captured by officials from the Telangana Forest Department.
The large feline was apprehended on Wednesday night, according to statements from Forest Department officials.
The rescued leopard is a robust male, estimated to be around five to six years old, they reported.
ICRISAT personnel first noticed the presence of two leopards on Monday. Drones operated by the institute also recorded images of the two big cats.
Upon receiving notification from ICRISAT staff, Forest Department team members set up camera traps.
As per the Sangareddy District Forest Officer Sridhar Rao, two traps were established after the camera trap revealed an image of the leopard. Two goats were used as bait in an effort to capture the animal.
The caught leopard has since been relocated to the Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad. Following a thorough assessment by veterinary specialists, the animal is anticipated to be released back into the wild.
Another leopard is believed to still be at large on the campus, and the Forest Department is actively working to capture it.
The sighting of the leopards caused considerable concern among ICRISAT personnel.
With one of the big cats now captured, the staff at ICRISAT expressed relief.
Forest officials suspect that the leopards may have wandered onto the campus during their sub-adult phase from the nearby rocky areas.
This incident is not unprecedented, as two leopards were previously captured on the extensive ICRISAT grounds in 2014 and 2019.
On Monday, ICRISAT staff reported spotting two animals resembling leopards. In response, the Forest Department deployed 20 motion-activated camera traps throughout the 3,400-acre campus in Patancheru.
Once images of the leopards were captured by the camera traps, Forest Department officials proceeded to set up baited traps.
Two teams from the Forest Department have been stationed on-site to oversee search operations and closely monitor the situation.
