Leopard captured in Budgam

Srinagar, Apr 10: Wildlife authorities on Monday captured a leopard in central Kashmir’s Budgam district which they believe is the same that was found roaming around the Rawalpora area on Srinagar outskirts two months ago.
The wild animal was captured near the water filtration plant in the Kralpora area of Budgam, the Wildlife Department officials said.
Ifshan Dewan, Wildlife Warden Wetlands, said that after receiving information about the movement of a leopard in the Kralpora area, they laid a trap on Sunday and were successful in capturing the wild animal.
“There was already a movement of leopard in Rawalpora, Hyderpora and its adjoining areas for more than a month; and it is highly likely that the animal that has been captured is the same one,” she said.
Ifshan said the traps were earlier laid by the central wildlife division, but the fresh trap was laid by their Budgam wildlife division. A team from Hokersar established the trap and successfully captured the leopard, she said, adding that the leopard has been taken to the wildlife health centre at Dachigam for treatment of some injuries in the paws.
Another senior official from the central wildlife division said that they are sure that the captured leopard is the same one that was witnessed around the city outskirts.
Around two months ago, a leopard was sighted in Rawalpora, following which the central division of the wildlife department launched a massive operation to capture the wild animal. The officials had said that it sometimes takes them too long, even months, to capture the animal.