Leopard captured in Dooars after weeks of livestock attacks, set for release in Jalpaiguri

A fully grown leopard was captured early Sunday morning in the Padri Kuthi area of Matiyali block, Dooars, after weeks of livestock attacks. The forest department had placed a cage with a goat as bait nearly 20-25 days ago following multiple complaints from locals. Around dawn, residents heard loud roaring and found the leopard trapped. A large crowd gathered at the site before the Khunia Squad of the forest department arrived to retrieve the animal.

Forest officials confirmed that the leopard had been frequently entering nearby villages, attacking goats and pigs during nighttime. Ranger Sajal Kumar De and his team secured the caged leopard and transported it for a health check-up. “The leopard will be released into the Gorumara forest after evaluation,” an official said. No human injuries were reported during the incidents, but authorities have advised locals to stay alert as wildlife movement in the region remains high.

This marks another instance of leopards straying into human settlements in the Dooars region, which has seen repeated cases of human-wildlife conflict. The forest department continues monitoring the area and urges residents to report any further sightings. Authorities are considering additional measures to prevent future encounters and minimize risks to both humans and animals.