Leopard caught in a farm

A leopard, which had triggered panic among residents of four villages in the taluk, was trapped at a farm in Kendanahalli on Tuesday.

The leopard was straying in Byadarahalli, Alati, Kendanahalli, Hosahalli and surrounding villages for the past few days and had prowled the backyard of Govindappa’s farmhouse Monday night.

All the 15 members of the family, who were asleep, woke up on hearing the shrill cries of the cattle and sheep. All of them huddled into a corner of the house and called their neighbours over the phone for help.

The leopard attacked Narasimharaju, a neighbour when he tried to rescue the animals in the cattleshed.

Police were alerted, who in turn called up forest officials. The operation to catch the wild animal began at 4 in the morning with the arrival of forest officials and anaesthetists from Mysore.

The leopard ran into a toilet in the farmhouse where it was darted by 7.30 am. The semi-conscious animal was later caught in snare and shifted to a cage.

Divisional Forest Officer U P Singh said the two-year-old leopard will be released into  the reserve forest.