A leopard entered VISL quarters at Industrial town in Bhadravati creating panic among the residents of the industrial town on Wednesday. It was successfully captured after an hour long operation by the foresters.
As the big cat was on the prowl, the schools in the area were closed for the day.
The leopard was spotted inside the compound by the localities who alerted the forest staff. After its capture, it has been shifted to the Shivamogga Zoo.
Though it is not for the first time that a big cat is sighted at VISL, which has a forest cover, this is for the first time that it got trapped inside a house.
On Wednesday around 6 am, the leopard attacked Lalitamma at the backyard of her house, which was witnessed by her neighbour Hema. The duo raised an alarm and informed the family members and neighbors. But the people gathered around the house recklessly leading to commotion while the big cat was agitated. The localities immediately informed forest authorities.
A team of forest staff including veterinarian Vinay, who is attached to the forest department, arrived at the spot. Dr Vinay climbed the roof of the house to spot the big cat. After an hour long operation, the vet was successful in darting the big cat. The leopard, which is believed to be seven years old, became unconscious after a while when it was captured and shifted to Shivamogga Zoo, which is located 25 kms from the industrial town.
IM Nagaraj, Shivamogga DCF (wildlife division) told reporters that Lalithamma has sustained minor injuries. The IFS officer said the leopard is believed to have made its way to the human habitat from a nearby forest. We will check the health of the leopard at the zoo and decide the future course of action, he stated.
