Thu Dec 12 21:24:00 UTC 2024: **Leopard Trapped in Wadgaon Rasai; Residents Relieved**
WADGAON RASAI, Dec. 6 – A male leopard was captured in a cage set up in the Sagnai area of Wadgaon Rasai (Shirur taluka) on Friday morning. The capture has brought relief to local residents, who had been concerned following a leopard attack last month that killed two goats belonging to Ashok Chavan.
Following the attack, village head Sachin Shelkar and residents requested the Forest Department to install cages. Two cages were subsequently placed in the area, one near Shelarwadi and another in Sagnai. A leopard was previously trapped in the Shelarwadi cage on November 26th.
The leopard trapped Friday morning was reportedly found in the Sagnai cage. Villagers immediately notified the Forest Department, and a rescue team swiftly transported the animal to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests Amol Satpute and Assistant Deputy Conservator of Forests Smitha Rajhans. A large team of forest officials participated in the capture and relocation.
Despite the successful capture, concerns remain about the significant leopard presence in the Wadgaon Rasai area. Shelkar and residents are urging the Forest Department to increase the number of cages to address this ongoing issue. The Forest Department also collected samples from two cubs killed in a leopard attack in Mandavgan, which will be sent for testing to determine if the captured leopards are man-eaters. The department plans to maintain some cages in the area and urged residents to take precautions at night. Sudhir Farate, former director of the Ghodaganga factory, also called for the immediate capture of leopards in the Mandavgan Farata area, urging the Forest Department not to relocate the cages until the situation is under control.
First Piper 