Leopard trapped by forest officials-To be shifted to Dandeli

The trap was set after a man was hurt

A leopard that was on the prowl in the villages of Metri and Devalapura in Hospet taluk, adjacent to the Daroji Karadi Dham, was trapped by officials of the Forest Department on Thursday night.

Following complaints by village residents that they had seen the leopard moving around, and that Kabber Jadeppa of Metri was injured by the animal on March 10, forest officials immediately laid a trap. The leopard was finally caught a week later.

Injuries

Enquiries revealed that Kabber Jadeppa was attacked when he tried to save a dog that had been caught by the leopard. He sustained injuries on his legs and was admitted to hospital.

The leopard, Range Forest Officer (Wild Life) I. Ravindranath told The Hindu, was a female and was around eight years old.

Going by the behaviour of the leopard after being trapped, he suspected that it might have given birth to cubs, and efforts were on to find them.

He said the leopard had been shifted to the Dandeli forest to be set free. Even the cubs, if found, would be transported to the Dandeli forest, he said.

Kiran Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Wild Life), Ranebennur, supervised the operation to trap the leopard.

An edited version of this article was published in "The Hindu" and can be read from,

http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/19/stories/2011031957110500.htm

Human-Elephant Conflict on rise in DATR:

Once again elephants are on rise in Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.Since last week they are repeatedly attacking agriculture fields in Diggi forests and caused a severe damage to crops.But the assurance given by wildlife division regarding compensation is not yet fulfilled which put farmers' life into big problem.They told that if the incident repeats villagers have to commit suicide and that is the only option left for us as crops are the only sources for their survival in the area.They also blamed wildlife division for their negligence which is repeatedly failing to take proper precautions to prevent crop damages.Villagers told that they have decided to sit protest in front of Wildlife Division DCF office until they get assurance for their crop loss compensation  and lives.However DCF Mr.Sunil Panwar told that two guards will be assigned to send elephants away from the villages' territory and assured about the compensation.

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