Udupi: 'Spot-fixing' with a difference - Leopard troubling Neelavar trapped

Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Jun 2: A leopard fell into a trap laid by the forest department near Neelavar Goshala on Friday May 31.

“From several years leopards used to frequently enter Neelavar area. There are several instances where they attacked cows, calves and killed dogs. They used to create problems in the Goshala run by Udupi Pejawar Math in Neelavar," said Vishwaprasannatheertha Swamiji, junior pontiff of Pejawar Math.

"During the end of summer season, the leopards in search of food and water used to attack the calves in the Goshala. The calves which were attaked about 20 days ago have died. The cows were protected by guarding them at night," he added.

After informing the forest department regarding the attack, a cage was placed in the Goshala premises 15 days ago. On Friday, a leopard fell into the cage laid in the area. The leopard is 2 ft tall and 4.5 ft long, and its age is estimated to be about two years. According to the locals there are two other leopards in the area. 

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Kundapur range forest conservator Manjunath Shetty, Udupi range forest conservator Prakash Poojary and sub divisional forest officers Manjunath Ganiga. Narayan Sherigar, Prakash, Brahmavar section forest officers K Ramesh, Shivappa Nayak, forest observer Shankarappa D L, driver Joy were part of the operation.

As per the directions of senior officers, the leopard has been set free in the Kudremukh national park.

Intructions will be given to capture the remaining leopards, informed forest officials.