Dibrugarh: A leopard that terrorised residents and preyed on livestock for nearly three weeks was captured at Bokpara Tea Estate on Sunday.The forest department set an iron cage inside the estate four days ago after repeated livestock kills. Officials said the animal was targeting cattle and other livestock owned by tea workers and farmers from nearby villages, and was taking shelter in thick tea bushes that provide cover for resting and stalking prey.“The cage was set based on the movement pattern of the leopard over the past few days. We are satisfied that the operation was completed without any harm to the animal or members of the public. Leopards often take refuge in tea estates because the thick bushes offer them excellent cover. It becomes very difficult to locate them by sight, which is why cage trapping is the most practical method in such cases,” a forest official said.News of the capture spread quickly, drawing crowds to the estate. Forest staff reached the spot, controlled the gathering and transported the leopard to the Lahowal forest office for a veterinary examination.Residents said the capture brought relief after weeks of losses. “We lost several animals. Every morning, there was a fear of finding another one killed. Now we can breathe easy,” said Drona Saikia, a farmer from a nearby village.After the check-up, the leopard will be released deep inside Dehing Patkai National Park.Experts said leopard sightings in and around Dibrugarh tea estates are common, with shrinking forest cover pushing wildlife closer to human settlements and increasing conflict.
The caged leopard
