Leopard strays into village

TT, 17 May 2019,  Jalpaiguri: A leopard that is suspected to have sneaked into a village in Maynaguri from the nearby Gorumara National Park was darted by foresters on Thursday.

The leopard entered Dakshin Mouamari village around 11am, sources said. It reached a field where some cattle were grazing and grabbed a goat. The animal left its prey and fled when some residents raised the alarm.

Some more residents assembled with sticks and rods and started searching for the leopard, which was located near a bush, forest officials said.

Subal Roy, a villager, moved closer and tried to drive out the leopard when the big cat attacked him and mauled his neck, official said. Roy was taken to hospital where he was released after first aid. The search for the leopard, which had taken shelter in a tea plantation, continued.

Forest officials arrived and cast a net to isolate the animal. It was then tranquilised .

The foresters took the animal to the nature interpretation centre in Lataguri. "We are relieved that the leopard has been caught. Otherwise, it could have attacked the cattle and even people," said a resident.

The animal has been kept under observation and will be released in Gorumara after treatment, foresters said