Angul : Trapped leopard rescued
A three-year-old female leopard was trapped in a snare laid by some miscreants amid a bush in Gopalpur under the Purunakot Range, 45 km from here.
Angul : A three-year-old female leopard was trapped in a snare laid by some miscreants amid a bush in Gopalpur under the Purunakot Range, 45 km from here. After nearly 10-12 hours it was rescued by the concerted efforts of the Satkosia forest authorities. It was later released in nearby Hatibadi forest.
The miscreants in the Satkosia area are spreading snares at many places to poach animals. The leopard was caught and remained immovable. Its right leg was trapped by wires of the snare. The Forest department believed that it might have been trapped in the night. In the morning villagers spotted the leopard and informed the forest officials.
Satkosia DFO Saroj Panda, ACF Subhendu Behera and other senior officers rushed to the spot. A plan was hatched to rescue the animal. Eminent veterinary doctor Kishore Sahoo was called in. He tranquilised the leopard at about 2pm. Her body was thoroughly searched by doctors and experts to locate any injury due to trap or any other means. There was no injury. The animal was caged and transported in a vehicle to nearby Hatibari forest.
Expressing happiness over the rescue, Panda said the animal was hale and hearty. It was a successful rescue operation carried out by experts. The DFO promised action against the miscreants. He said there are 20-25 leopards in the Satkosia jungle.
During the last three years six leopards died to various reasons. Animal-lovers have expressed concern over rising activities of poachers across the district, including Satkosia.