Leopard captured using tranquilliser dead; death from deep wound in stomach

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A leopard that was tranquillised in Karikuzhi, Amboori, has died. The leopard was caught yesterday after being tranquillised. Forest department officials say that there was a deep wound in the leopard's stomach caused by a wire, and this is the cause of death.

The leopard was first spotted by tapping worker Shiju in the rubber plantation owned by his mother Susheela, a native of Karikuzhi. Shiju spotted the leopard when he arrived for rubber tapping yesterday morning. The leopard was lying trapped in a small hole in the rock. The leopard tried to attack upon seeing Shyju and Suresh. Suresh fell and was injured while running away in fear.

Following the locals' information, forest department officials and Neyyardam police reached the spot. The leopard was trapped in a wire and a tree stump planted to install a solar fence. The forest department's rapid action team and tranquilliser experts worked together for about three hours to capture the leopard by tranquillising it. The tranquilliser was fired three times. Later, the caged leopard was shifted to the Neyyardam Wildlife Sanctuary.

The leopard was in a critical condition yesterday. It was discovered that the leopard was dead when it was examined by a doctor this morning as part of further treatment. A postmortem was also conducted. Forest department officials have registered a case in the incident. Forest department officials say that a noose was placed using binding wire in the forest area. There is a deep wound on the leopard's stomach. It is indicated that this is at least two days old.