Kinnigoli: Leopard Gets Caught in Snare in Elinje, Rescued and Taken to Pilikula

Kinnigoli: On Friday morning, a male leopard was found trapped in a man-made snare of steel wires set on a government land for wild animals, possibly to catch wild boars or rabbits, near the house of Sharat Shetty of Moodumane in Shunthipadi of Elinje under Aikala panchayat limits. It might have got ensnared on Thursday night, say the villagers.

His neighbour Annu Moolya heard the roars of the leopard as he was passing by the spot and was taken aback. Information was passed on to panchayat president Padmini Vasant. She in turn informed the police and the forest personnel.

Officials from Kundapur were to come but since it would have taken long hours to take action, the Pilikula park authorities were informed. Moodbidri range forest officer D G Dinesh and tranquillization expert Dr Dilip also rushed to the spot, besides the staff from Pilikula.

The leopard, thought to be 5-6 years old, is so strong and well-muscled that it escaped two tranquillizer shots fired at it. Even after the third one was successfully poked, it took about 45 minutes to go to sleep. After confirming that it had gone out of senses, it was shifted to Pilikula. Higher officials will decide about its future, whether it had to be released in the wild or retained at Pilikula.

Leopards have been in the news for long in and around Mulki, Punaroor, Aikala and surroundings. A female leopard with two cubs have been on the prowl for a long time around Kinnigoli. But since the one caught on Friday is a male, the trio is suspected to be on the move

The movements of the leopards have been so erratic that the forest personnel are undecided about the spot where cages are to be laid. The leopard said to be on the prowl in Kodipadi is thought to be different from the one caught, they have decided not to move the cage placed near the NITK campus.

Leopards – here and there:

Mangaluru: Dog Placed to Lure Leopard into Cage Upsets Capture Plan at Kodipadi