A leopard that terrorized a village in Bahraich district, killing over a dozen goats, was successfully captured by the forest department in a remarkably swift operation on Monday night. The incident, which sparked widespread fear among residents, concluded with the safe trapping of the animal within just 15 minutes of setting up the cage.
Panic in Sujauli Village After Deadly Attack
The drama unfolded in Sujauli village when the leopard launched a fierce attack on a goat shed located near Sotiya Nala. The shed, belonging to a villager named Manish Maurya, bore the brunt of the big cat's aggression. Officials confirmed that the leopard killed 13 goats on the spot and left more than half a dozen others seriously injured during the Monday night incident.
The attack sent shockwaves through the entire community, with villagers living in constant fear for their safety and livestock. The urgent demand for immediate action from the forest department grew louder as panic spread.
Swift Capture by Forest Team
Responding to the crisis, a dedicated forest team sprang into action. Led by Sujauli Range Forest Officer Rohit Kumar and assisted by Forest Guard Anil Kumar, the team arrived at the location around 8 pm on Monday. They strategically installed a cage at the spot, using bait to lure the leopard.
The operation proved incredibly efficient. Lured by the bait, the leopard entered the cage within a mere 15 minutes of its installation, allowing the team to secure the animal safely without any further incident or injury.
Examination and Planned Release
Rohit Kumar provided details about the captured leopard, stating it appeared to be a female, approximately 3 years old. Following the protocol, the animal was transported to the Sujauli range office for a thorough medical examination.
"The animal is being taken to the Sujauli range office for a medical examination," Kumar said. He added, "Based on senior officers' discretion, it will be released at a safe location." This statement underscores the department's standard procedure of relocating such captured wildlife to habitats away from human settlements to prevent future conflicts.
The successful and rapid capture operation has brought immense relief to the villagers of Sujauli, ending a period of intense fear and uncertainty.
