The elusive leopard, which had been wandering in AECS Layout and Kudlu Gate near Singasandra area since October 28, succumbed to a gunshot by Forest Department personnel, who were trying to capture it.
In self defence
On Wednesday afternoon, the officials had cordoned off the area where the leopard was hiding and it ran into a snare laid by the officials at Bommanahalli Industrial area. However, in the process of the attempted capture, the animal attacked an official and he shot at it in self defence, according to Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) S.S. Lingaraja.
The officials then managed to put the feline into a cage and shifted it to the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) for its medical checkup. The leopard died while undergoing treatment.
Leopard attacks vet
Earlier in the day a veterinarian who went to tranquilise the leopard was attacked by the big cat. The leopard had scratched veterinarian Dr. Kiran on his neck, but he is said to be out of danger. It reportedly attacked another person later while a combing operation to capture was going on.
“For the last five days, a leopard was spotted near Kudlu gate creating a lot of anxiety among local residents. During this period, our personnel from Bengaluru, BBP and a team from Mysuru were trying to capture the leopard. Today the leopard attacked Dr. Kiran and one more personnel. The duo suffered grievous injuries. Finally, we managed to capture it. But during the process, it leapt on another personnel who fired a shot on the leopard in self-defence. Thereafter, we brought it to the BBP where we tried to revive it. However, it succumbed,” Mr. Lingaraja told reporters.
Replying to a query whether the Forest Department has permission to fire shots at the animal, Mr. Lingaraja said, ’‘Chief Wild Warden can give permission for shooting if it attacks any personnel grievously during an operation. We had taken permission from Chief Wild Warden after two of our personnel were attacked grievously,” Mr. Lingaraja said.
The post mortem of the deceased leopard is being done at the BBP.
