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Stray leopard caught in UP cantonment

     Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh): Officials of the army and the forest department today trapped a wild leopard, which had strayed into an army cantonment. "The operation was jointly conducted by Army personnel and forest officials. The leopard was shot with a tranquiliser, and in an hour's time, we took it away. Nets were laid out in the area to trap the leopard to make sure that it was not killed," said Brigadier Surender Singh Yadav.

     The leopard has been sent to the Lucknow Zoo for a health check. The leopard had strayed into the area on Sunday, and was captured after a twelve-hour joint operation. It had taken shelter in the army canteen, causing panic among locals. Lucknow Zoo officials led by Dr Shukla, and forest officials were called in to capture the cat. It is estimated that there are around 14,000 leopards in India. Worldwide the population of leopards is estimated to be around 100,000 with the majority of leopards found in Africa. The loss of habitat as well as human population pressure on wildlife reserves in India is a matter of concern for leopard populations in India. There have been a number of incidents in recent years where leopards have entered Indian cities from nearby wildlife sanctuaries.
-Nov 27,  2006

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