Leopard that strayed into Jalandhar village set free in natural habitat

ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Jalandhar, February 1

Found to be fit by veterinary experts from the Wildlife Department, the leopard that had strayed into Lamma pind near here yesterday was today released in the forests of Hoshiarpur.

District Forest Officer, Phillaur, Lakhwinder Singh said, “We got it examined thoroughly. It suffered no injuries. All its teeth were also found to be intact.”

The DFO said, “We had earlier planned to take it to Chhatbir, but veterinary expert Dr MP Singh said it was a four-year-old, perfectly healthy male and required no care. So, the entire examination of the animal was conducted in Jalandhar and we took it to the upper reaches of the forests in Hoshiarpur. As soon as its sedation effect was gone, it woke up and walked out into its natural habitat.” 

Regarding the allegations of a botched-up rescue operation, the DFO said, “We tried to tranquilise the leopard, but its effect came late as there was so much noise and activity around. For sedation, a calm surrounding is required which it did not get at the first planned area of trap”. — TNS