Mysore, December 19: A leopardess aged around two was trapped at Hirenandi village of Hampapura hobli in H.D. Kote town in Mysore district on Tuesday night.
The animal was shifted to the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and released on Wednesday, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mysore, D.S. Gaonkar, told The Hindu. Another leopardess was captured in the same village on November 25.
The animal had been on the prowl in and around Hirenandi for some time and killing goats, sheep, dogs and even cattle, Shivanna, a resident, said. The village has over 120 houses with a population of more than 600.
The Forest Department had prevented the residents of the village from leaking the news of the capture of the leopard on November 25, Mr. Shivanna, said. A dog was kept in the cage as bait on Tuesday and the animal fell into the trap around 7.30 p.m., Mr. Shivanna said.
Anxious residents gathered around the cage to have a glimpse of the animal. It was only after the capture of the animal that the residents came to know of the secret behind the disappearance of dogs in the last few months, he said.
Hirenandi village is located more than 100 km away from the Nagrahole National Park, yet the animals were roaming in the areas, Mr. Shivanna said.
The residents suspect that the animal might have come from Mahadevanagara or Bettadalli.
