A leopard that got trapped in a net put up for boars in Asanbahali Reserve Forest under the Dhenkanal Forest Division was rescued after a 10-hour-long operation on Thursday.
According to sources, some local people first spotted the big cat being caught in a net. They immediately passed the information to Mahabirod range.
Soon, over 100 forest department staff from different forest ranges under the Dhenaknal forest division and three rescue teams from Bhubaneswar, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Angul and Kapilas rescue centre reached the spot and launched an operation.
“The animal was caught in a snare put up for wild boars. It has been rescued with mild injuries. It is a male leopard aged about over five years. Its health condition is well. After treatment, it will be sent to Nandankanan for further observation. An investigation has been launched,” said Sumit Kar, DFO, Dhenkanal.
In this regard, the Forest Department has launched a probe.