Tral, Jul 30, : In a successful culmination of a two-day rescue operation, the Wildlife Department on Wednesday managed to safely capture a female leopard. Her three cubs had been found yesterday in the Lurgam area of Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The operation was launched on Tuesday after locals discovered three leopard cubs abandoned near a residential area in Lurgam village. Concerned by the vulnerability of the cubs and the possibility of the mother prowling nearby, wildlife officials immediately initiated efforts to trace the adult leopard while cautioning the public to remain vigilant.
“Today, our team successfully located and tranquilized the mother leopard. All four animals, the mother and her three cubs, have been safely shifted to a secure wildlife facility,” a senior Wildlife Department official confirmed to KNT.
The official emphasized that the leopard had been moving freely in the vicinity, posing a serious risk to both humans and the animals. “Had it not been for the prompt intervention, this could have turned into a dangerous situation for villagers as well as the leopard family,” the official added.
The department had earlier issued advisories urging residents to avoid venturing into forested patches or abandoned areas near the site. Fortunately, no untoward incident occurred during the operation.
The family of leopards will now undergo health assessments before any long-term rehabilitation or relocation decisions are made.
Wildlife authorities have lauded the cooperation of local residents and reiterated the importance of reporting wildlife sightings promptly to prevent conflict and ensure animal welfare. [KNT]
