Six injured in leopard attack in Nilambur

MALAPURRAM: A straying leopard disrupted normal life in Konnampotti region of Chunghathara in Nilambur for over five hours before it was successfully tranquilized and caged on Wednesday evening. Six persons, including a woman, were injured in the leopard attack.

The animal was first seen in a rubber plantation at Vadakkekkara, Konnampotti around 1.30pm. Suni (35) of Mangedath, who was collecting firewood from the plantation, was attacked by the leopard and she suffered minor injuries. Natives Raju of Pandakashala and Sahil of Thottassery were also attacked by the leopard while they were searching for it.

Later, forest, police and revenue officials along with veterinarians arrived at the spot. After an hour-long search, the leopard was found near a trench. When the traumatized animal was provoked by over-enthusiastic onlookers, it climbed on a coconut tree to evade the crowd.

Finally, a team of tranquilizing experts, who arrived from Kozhikode around 5pm, successfully tranquilized the leopard. But when the veterinary surgeon gave the tranquilizing shot, the animal fell asleep on top of the tree. Following this, members of the New Star Club, Palenkara carried the animal in a net and caged it.

Nilambur North DFO Rajan said the leopard was a full-grown male and it has shifted to Thrissur zoo. "It is for the first time such an incident has been reported in the area," said Mujeeb Palenkara, a resident in the area.