Irate locals attack ‘killer’ leopard caged in Nuapada

A team of forest department officials on Saturday night managed to capture the leopard which is believed to have killed two persons and injured another in Nuapada district in the past few days.

The marauding animal that has reportedly killed a minor boy and a woman was caged at Kodapali of Dharma Bandha area under the Sadar range in the district.

The killer big cat was spotted atop a building on Saturday night. The sighting of the wild animal had sent chills down the spine of local people, who lost their sleep in panic.

Following the development, a five-member team of forest department officials tried to trap the animal by setting up a cage. They were successful in their endeavour after five long hours of operation.

The leopard was caged at around 11pm on Saturday night. However, the local people lost their cool and allegedly attacked the wild animal with sticks after it was caged. The forest department officials tried their best to pacify the people and shift the injured wild animal to Sadar range office at around 1 pm.

As per Khariar Division DFO, the health of the leopard has deteriorated and it will soon be treated by a veterinary team.

Following its treatment, the big cat will be shifted either to Nandankanan Zoo or any other forest as per the order of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), official sources said.