Trapped by snare, leopard rescued from farm near Mumbai
The animal must have visited the farm in search of an easy prey and got trapped in the snare, said forest officials
An adult leopard was rescued by forest department officials in the early hours of Wednesday from Dahanu, after which it was shifted to Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare Association (WCAWA), Dahanu, for treatment.
“The animal was stuck in a snare, probably installed by tribals to catch animals such as rabbit and boar. However, the leopard got trapped in it. We were alerted by a local, who spotted the trapped animal near his farm in Sogave village,” said Nanasaheb Ladkat, deputy conservator of forest (DCF) Dahanu.
The animal must have visited the farm in search of an easy prey and got trapped in the snare. Also, no reports of attack on cattle, other domestic animals or humans were reported from the area the leopard passed through.
“We laid a trap and rescued the 7-year-old leopard. A team from Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivli, is inspecting the animal at our Dahanu centre,” said Dr Dinesh Vinherkar, a veterinarian associated with the WCAWA, Dahanu. “The leopard has been traumatised by the presence of onlookers during the rescue. He will be kept under observation for the next four days.”
Ladkat said once the animal recovers it will not be relocated, but released back into its territory. He added that a case will be registered under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, against those who installed the snare.
“The leopard will be fitted with a radio collar, so that we can keep track his movement. At present, 22 leopards have been recorded from various part of the district,” Ladkat said.