Forest personnel captured a leopard in Karikuzhy, near Amboori, on Friday, after the animal escaped an initial attempt before being tranquilised.
The female leopard, believed to be aged around three years old, was first spotted in the early hours of Friday by a rubber tapper, Shyju, who found it trapped in a snare set in a rubber plantation. On seeing Shyju, the distressed animal reportedly attempted to attack, prompting him to raise an alarm.
The leopard then attempted to attack another resident, Suresh, who fell trying to escape and sustained minor injuries. He has been admitted to a nearby hospital.
Following alerts from the local populace, forest officials and police from the Neyyar Dam station rushed to the scene. A rescue team led by forest veterinary officer Arun Kumar attempted to tranquilise the animal, but the leopard broke free from the snare and disappeared into nearby forested terrain.
After hours of intensive tracking, the leopard was located in a low-lying area near Chakkipara. Around 12:30 p.m., the team successfully tranquilised the animal and secured it in a cage.
The leopard was later transported to the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, where it will undergo a thorough health evaluation.
Official sources said the animal will be monitored closely at Neyyar before any decision is made regarding its release or possible relocation.
Published – August 08, 2025 09:27 pm IST
