The Hindu,May 07, 2017
KOLLAM,
KOLLAM,
A wild leopard that strayed into human habitat close to forest areas
at Edapalayam here got entangled in a steel net and died following
suspected fatigue as it tried in vain to free itself. The net was spread
by farmers to keep crop-raiding wild boars at bay.
Aryankavu forest range officer Jiyaz Jamaluddin Labba said the male leopard was around 9 years old. The net was spread on railway land by nearby residents who are growing crops there. The hind left paw of the leopard got entangled in the net. It tumbled onto a slope and remained suspended by the entangled leg.
Rubber tappers who passed that way early on Sunday noticed the struggling leopard and informed the forest office. Shortly afterwards a team of forest officers led by Mr. Labba reached the site. The leopard was alive at that time. But it took some time for the forest veterinary officer to reach there from Konni. The intention was to tranquilise the trapped animal and set it free.
When the veterinarian reached the site by 10.30 a.m. the leopard was already dead. Mr. Labba said the carcass was taken to the Chief Disease Investigation Office of the Animal Husbandry Department at Palode where the post-mortem examination will be conducted on Monday. Till then the carcass will be kept in deep freezer.
Meanwhile, residents of Edapalayam said the conflicts with wild animals straying from forest areas were on the rise there. Such conflicts have become a daily affair and several livestock and dogs were attacked by leopards in the past. Also wild wild elephants, deer, and boars raided crops, they said.
Aryankavu forest range officer Jiyaz Jamaluddin Labba said the male leopard was around 9 years old. The net was spread on railway land by nearby residents who are growing crops there. The hind left paw of the leopard got entangled in the net. It tumbled onto a slope and remained suspended by the entangled leg.
Rubber tappers who passed that way early on Sunday noticed the struggling leopard and informed the forest office. Shortly afterwards a team of forest officers led by Mr. Labba reached the site. The leopard was alive at that time. But it took some time for the forest veterinary officer to reach there from Konni. The intention was to tranquilise the trapped animal and set it free.
When the veterinarian reached the site by 10.30 a.m. the leopard was already dead. Mr. Labba said the carcass was taken to the Chief Disease Investigation Office of the Animal Husbandry Department at Palode where the post-mortem examination will be conducted on Monday. Till then the carcass will be kept in deep freezer.
Meanwhile, residents of Edapalayam said the conflicts with wild animals straying from forest areas were on the rise there. Such conflicts have become a daily affair and several livestock and dogs were attacked by leopards in the past. Also wild wild elephants, deer, and boars raided crops, they said.
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