Leopard trapped in Jalpaiguri, released in forest

JALPAIGURI (WB): A full grown female leopard at Binnaguri tea garden here was captured and released in a forest on Monday, forest department officials said.

Divisional forest officer (Jalpaiguri) Sunita Ghatak said the animal was caught last night in a trap laid in the tea garden under Dhupguri block.

The trap was laid there sometime back after three persons were injured in leopard attacks in a month, she said.

After the news spread that a leopard was caught in the trap this morning, a large number of people assembled near it and the animal got scared.

It started jumping inside the cage in fear and injured its head and mouth, according to locals.

Ghatak said the animal was later taken to Garumara National Park and released there.

Asked if the leopard was treated before releasing it, the DFO said it would be done if the personnel think it is required.