Injured Leopard Captured Near Nilgiris Plantations by Forest Department

An injured leopard spotted near coffee and tea plantations in Gudalur, Nilgiris, was captured by the forest department. The animal, previously seen around Devar Oasis, was finally trapped after surveillance. It will be treated at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve hospital before being released back into the wild.

An injured leopard, observed close to the coffee and tea plantations in the Gudalur area of Nilgiris district, was successfully captured by the forest department on Saturday, according to an official statement. The animal, showing an injury to its leg, had been prowling around the Devar Oasis within the Anju Coonoor coffee and tea plantation regions for the past four days.

Upon sighting the leopard, concerned villagers promptly alerted the forest department, which then deployed cages at two locations to capture the animal, the official reported. Surveillance cameras were also installed throughout Devar Estate and Devar Oasis to track its movements.

The leopard was eventually caught in a cage positioned in the Devar Oasis. It is now slated for treatment at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve hospital before its eventual release back into the wild. Villagers in the vicinity expressed relief as the leopard, which exhibited signs of aggression, was taken into custody.

A medical team, led by Mudumalai veterinarian Rajesh alongside trained forest staff, monitored the leopard's activities for four days before it was safely captured. 'The leopard is very aggressive. We have taken all necessary precautions to ensure no harm comes to it while it is being transported to the hospital,' the official stated.