In a gripping five-day saga of tracking, forest officials in Bengaluru shot dead a wandering leopard who was spotted at several spots in southern part of the city since Saturday.
The animal was caught in the Kudlu Gate near Electronics City and subsequently died in the veterinary hospital in Bannerghatta biological park after sustaining a bullet injury, reportedly when one of the forest department officials opened fire.
Veterinarians were trying to tranquilise the leopard when it attacked them.
Bengaluru urban chief conservator of forests SS Lingaraju told reporters “The leopard had attacked veterinary doctor Kiran and one more staff member. So, they were grievously injured. So, it jumped to attack one more staff. So, he shot it in self defense. We tried to revive it in Bannerghatta but it died,” he added. "We have the permission to shoot if the wild animal becomes a danger to human life" he said.
Veterinarians tried to revive the animal at the hospital but failed.
After several sightings of the elusive feline on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the forest department set up two cages to capture the animal three days ago. Night patrolling and police teams also joined in the effort.
Forest officials utilized a combination of surveillance cameras and deployed a team comprising 30 personnel, complemented by the use of drone technology to track and capture the wandering leopard.
Days ago, footage captured by Cadenza Apartments in the vicinity, provided a clear view of the leopard casually strolling near the apartment complex. The leopard was also sighted in the areas of Brookefield and HSR Extension, near a prominent private school.
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