Pampore: The Jammu and Kashmir wildlife department on late Tuesday evening captured another leopard from Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Officials informed Kashmir Reade that it was the second leopard caught by the wildlife department Range Office Khrew on consecutive days in same spot.
The movement of the two leopards along with two cubs was reported in Munpora Wuyan village, following which the wildlife department Range office Khrew laid cages at different places in the area.
Wildlife officials told Kashmir Reader that they received information that two leopards and two cubs had been spotted in the area following which they sent their teams to capture it.
Range Officer wildlife Range Khrew Khursheed Ahmad told Kashmir Reader that the team laid a trap in Munpora Wuyan area of Pampore after local residents complained that a group of leopards was roaming freely in the residential areas, posing danger to their lives and livestock.
He added that one leopard was caught on Monday late night and other on Tuesday late evening.
He said that the leopards were shifted to Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary.
“Efforts are on to capture two more cubs,”he said.
Altaf Hussain Wildlife Warden Central Division Srinagar told Kashmir Reader that frequent sightings of these in human areas are indicative of various things that need to be tackled wisely .
He said that the leopard’s numbers may be increasing and they find shelter in densely planted areas where there is food available.
Another reason for their presence in human habitation is that their prey are dogs which are available in good numbers around such habitations,” he said.
He advised people to take precautions and inform the wildlife department when they suspect leopard presence in their area.
He also congratulated the team for capturing the leopards before causing any major damage to humans or livestock.

BILAL HABIB