Elusive killer leopard caught after three months in Tamil Nadu

ERODE (TN): An elusive leopard, which had evaded capture for the past three months after killing a man and a forest guard, was caught early this morning at Thimbam forest area in the district, a senior forest official said.

The feline had killed a man in the forest three months ago and a forest guard a few days ago. Traps were then laid at four places in the area and CCTVs placed at strategic points, Anwardheen, Conservator of Forests (Erode) said.

On July 21, the cameras captured the movement of the leopard and some some passengers of a bus noticed it lying near Thimbam checkpost the following day. After that, armed forest officials intensified the search, he said.

Early this morning, the leopard entered a cage placed near the Thimbam Junction and was trapped.

Anwardheen said the captured leopard was five years old and would soon be transported to Vandalur Zoo near Chennai.