A leopard has been captured in a cage set up by the Forest Department in Khandah Bacheli area of Srinagar Garhwal, bringing temporary relief to residents living in fear after the recent deadly attack in Koti village. The leopard was trapped between 2 am and 3 am on Wednesday night, three days after officials installed the cage following a daytime attack in which a woman was killed.
Authorities have stated that medical testing will confirm whether the captured leopard is the same one responsible for the Koti incident. The animal, believed to be around four years old, has been transported to Nagdev Range, Pauri, where its samples will be examined and sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
Forest Range Officer, Pauri, Dinesh Chandra Nautiyal confirmed that four cages were set up—two in Koti village, one in Nyalgarh, and one at Laganou Tok where the leopard was caught. He said monitoring patrol teams remain active and additional cages will stay in place as more leopards are believed to be roaming in the region.
Local representatives said that although one leopard has been captured, fear remains high as two to three leopards are reportedly active in the Khandah Bacheli and surrounding areas. They urged the department to continue operations using cages and drone surveillance to prevent future attacks and ensure complete safety.
Residents report increasing leopard sightings during daytime and incidents of livestock and pets being attacked. On Thursday morning around 4:30 am in Ward 28, Amrakunj Dang, residents witnessed a leopard dragging away a dog. Ward Councillor Jaipal Bisht said that the lack of street lighting is enabling big cats to move freely in populated areas, and he again requested installation of street lights from the municipal corporation.
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Kuldeep Gusain, Gram Pradhan, Khandah Bacheli, urged that patrol teams continue until identification is confirmed and more leopards are trapped.
Karishma Devi, Gram Pradhan, Koti, demanded drone surveillance and additional trapping efforts.
Anju Devi, Gram Pradhan, Nyalgarh, said rising leopard activity has created panic and urgent action is necessary.
