Rescue operation to capture stray leopard lasts nine hours

Hassan: A rescue operation to capture a strayed leopard which was locked inside a house at V. Nagenahalli under Shantigrama hobli limits in Hassan on Friday, lasted for nine hours before the wild cat was tranquilized and shifted from the house. 

At around 1.30 am on Friday, the leopard while chasing a dog, entered the house of Krishnamurthy. One of the family members noticed the leopard enter the house and alerted other members who all came out after which the leopard was locked inside the house. 

Forest officials were informed about the leopard at around 4.30 am and theys swung into action by 5.30 am with Deputy Conservator of Forests Shivaram Babu, Range Forest Officer Jagadeesh and others monitoring the rescue operation. 

The leopard made forest officials' task tough by constantly moving inside and it wasn't easy for the veterinarian to dart the animal. The leopard was spotted in different areas of the house, it was seen resting on a loft of the house and finally it got under the cot in the hall of the house. 

Forest officials covered the house with a net so that all escape routes were blocked. They fired crackers to disturb the leopard so that the animal could be clearly sighted to dart it with a tranquillizer. 

Eventually, at around 3.30 pm, the leopard was darted successfully by the veterinarian and was shifted from the house. The rescued leopard has been kept at Gendekatte forest area before it is released in a safer location.