Baramulla, Aug 26: A leopard reportedly trapped in wire at Bandi village in the Uri area of Baramulla district was rescued and relocated by the Wildlife Department, officials said.
The animal was found caught in the wire, triggering concern among locals who alerted the authorities.
A team of wildlife officials reached the spot and carried out the rescue operation, safely freeing the leopard from the wire before relocating it to a suitable forest habitat.
The incident caused concern among residents in the area, who had been advised to maintain a safe distance from the animal until the rescue operation was completed.
The successful rescue and relocation brought relief to locals, while the Wildlife Department’s intervention also helped prevent possible harm to both the animal and residents.
Baramulla has witnessed several wildlife-rescue operations this year amid increased human-wildlife encounters. In January, the Wildlife Department rescued a leopard and its cub after they were spotted near a residential area and relocated them to a secure forest habitat.
In April, a leopard and three cubs were also safely rescued from an abandoned house in the Bagh-e-Islam area of Baramulla in a joint operation involving the Wildlife Department, Police and Army.
The district has also witnessed repeated leopard sightings in residential areas in recent weeks, prompting the Wildlife Department to deploy teams and install cages at vulnerable locations to safely capture the animals. [KNT]
