Stray Leopard Captured at Hyderabad Airport After Multi-DayOperation

A stray leopard that entered the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad on Sunday has been successfully trapped by forest officials in a cage on Saturday night. The elusive big cat had been spotted roaming the airport premises for five days, causing concern among authorities and passengers.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the growing concern of human-animal conflicts in urban areas, emphasizing the need for effective measures to prevent and manage such encounters. The incident highlights the growing concern of human-animal conflicts in urban areas, emphasizing the need for effective measures to prevent and manage such encounters. It also stresses the importance of preserving wildlife habitats and corridors to prevent animals from venturing into human-dominated spaces.

The leopard's presence at the busy airport triggered a high-alert situation, prompting immediate action from the forest department. Surveillance cameras captured the animal's movements, and a meeting was held between forest officials and RGIA authorities on Tuesday to intensify efforts to catch the leopard.

To lure the leopard, forest officials set up seven cages at strategic locations around the airport. A goat was placed in one of the cages as bait. Additionally, 20 trap cameras were installed to closely monitor the leopard's activities. Ranga Reddy DFO Sudhakar Reddy expressed confidence in the operation, stating, "A goat has been kept in the cage as bait for the leopard and it might get trapped in a day or two."

Throughout the multi-day operation, a dedicated team of officials patrolled the airport lands daily, anticipating a sighting of the leopard. Their efforts paid off when the big cat came close to one of the cages, and its movements were spotted near the camera traps. This close encounter raised hopes of a successful capture.

As a precautionary measure, people residing or moving in the areas adjoining the airport were advised to remain cautious and alert. The presence of a wild animal in such close proximity to human habitation underscored the importance of maintaining a safe distance and reporting any sightings to the authorities.

The successful capture of the leopard on Saturday night brought relief to the airport authorities and the local community. The operation, which lasted several days, required meticulous planning, strategic placement of cages and cameras, and the expertise of experienced forest officials.

Following its capture, the leopard will undergo a thorough health check-up at the Nehru Zoological Park before being released into its natural habitat at the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. This incident highlights the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring the safety of both humans and wildlife in an increasingly urbanized world, emphasizing the need for effective measures to prevent and manage human-animal conflicts.

Key Takeaways

• A stray leopard entered Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Sunday.
• Forest officials trapped the leopard in a cage on Saturday night after 5 days.
• The incident highlights human-animal conflicts in urban areas and need for prevention measures.
• 7 cages and 20 trap cameras were used to lure and monitor the leopard.
• The leopard will undergo a health check-up before being released into its natural habitat.