Biswabrata Goswami
JHARGRAM, 8 OCT: A female leopard that escaped from its enclosure in the Jhargram Zoological Park on Thursday evening has been captured today at around 2 pm from the forest inside the park.
The forest officials during their search operation spotted the leopard hiding inside a bush on the premises of the zoo. She was later tranquilized by an expert from Pirakata and the forest officials brought her to its enclosure unhurt.
A top forest official said an inquiry would be held to find out how she managed to escape the enclosure.
Locals, on tenterhooks after news of the leopard’s escape spread on Thursday evening, heaved a sigh of relief.
According to forest officials, the female leopard was brought from Khairaganj in Jaldapara around two years ago. At present, two adult leopards including the female one and two baby leopards are staying in the zoological park.
Yesterday, there was repair work on the fencing and the leopard probably escaped through the under repair parts of the fencing. It was noticed first at around 6 pm when the employees were counting heads of the wild cats.
The forest officials and local police immediately swung into action to alert the local residents. Police started miking about the incident in the Jhargram town and asked people to inform them if they found the leopard hiding anywhere in the locality.
The forest officials also called tranquilizer experts and laid traps at strategic sites where the cheetah may take shelter.
This Zoological Park situated about two kilometers from the town was opened by the state forest department. Deer, snakes, crocodiles, black rabbit, wolf, peacocks, bears, various types of monkeys and several varieties of trees can be seen here.
Tags: #Leopard #Recaptured #JhargramZoologicalPark #Tranquilized
