Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)

Udupi, Jul 13: A leopard that strayed into a residential area at Hiriadka here was caught by forest officials with help of locals and taken to Pilikula at Mangaluru.

The incident took place at Janata Colony in the premises of Rangappa Naik's house.

It is learnt that late in the afternoon, Rangappa Naik went to the cow shed located in within his compound to switch on the water pump installed there. To his horror, when he opened the shed, he found a leopard inside.

Using presence of mind, Naik immediately closed the shed informed the forest officials, the police and the locals.

The officials who arrived at the spot tried to lure the leopard and catch it with a net. After three hours of efforts, the officials with the help of the public finally managed to cage the leopard.

Speaking to reporters Hiriadka forest range officer Udaykumar said that so far there had been no information about any leopard roaming in the vicinity and this was the first such case here. The locals surmised that the leopard must have strayed from the nearby forest area in search of prey.

The leopard was taken to Pilikula later.