Erode: Two leopards were trapped in cages set up by the forest department in Hasanur forest area, in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) on Thursday. The traps were placed last week after villagers demanded action following repeated incidents of attacks on livestock in the locality.“Four cages were installed in the forest area as part of efforts to capture the animal responsible for attacks reported over the past several months. During the early hours of Thursday, two leopards were found trapped in two of the cages,” said an officer from Hasanur forest division.The captures come amid protests and demonstrations by villagers in and around Hasanur, urging authorities to take immediate measures to address the threat posed by leopard movement in the area.An officer said the trapped leopards will be shifted to the department’s office for examination by a veterinary team. “After the medical assessment, appropriate action would be taken in accordance with wildlife management protocols,” he added.Meanwhile, forest officials said efforts are under way to ascertain if either of the trapped leopards was involved in the incidents reported in the region.
