Coimbatore: Forest department officials on Thursday placed cage traps at three strategic locations within the Sirumugai forest range to capture a leopard.The move follows an increase in leopard movement around agricultural lands bordering the forest boundaries in Thenkal Karadu and Othimalai reserve areas under the Pethikkuttai section of the Sirumugai forest range. Forest department officials have also intensified round-the-clock monitoring operations.Sirumugai forest ranger T Dinesh said a leopard was spotted near Sirumugai by a patrol team after which patrolling was intensified. On Tuesday, the leopard entered a farmland near the forest boundary and attacked a dog in the area. “Following this, three specialised teams comprising forest field staff have been deployed across key zones. To ensure public safety and safely capture the animal, trap cages have been set up at three strategic locations in the reserve forest areas adjacent to farmland.”He added that three teams are conducting continuous day-and-night patrolling across the affected sectors. High-resolution camera traps have also been installed to track and monitor the leopard’s movements. Forest officials are actively educating residents and farmers on safety protocols and precautionary measures.Field teams have intensified round-the-clock monitoring and deployed camera traps across sensitive routes to track the animal’s movements, while advising nearby farmers and residents to remain cautious during night hours.
