The Forest Department on Friday (October 23) clarified that three leopards, including the one responsible for a man’s death, were caught in cages in the Hasanur Forest Reserve of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in Erode district on Thursday. The other two animals are cubs aged about a year.

According to a press release issued by STR Deputy Director (Hasanur Forest Division) Yogesh Kumar Garg, V. Periyasamy from Bungalow Thotti was found dead along a stream near the forest fringes on October 4. After the Forest Department confirmed that he had been killed in a leopard attack, surveillance in the area was intensified.

Leopard

A leopard being released into the wild. | Video Credit: The Hindu

Following directions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the Chief Wildlife Warden, cages were placed at two locations to capture the leopard. A cage was installed between the gas agency and Bunk Thottam on October 18, and another at P.K.P.N. Thottam on October 21.

Two leopard cubs, aged about a year, were captured in the first cage around 5 a.m. on October 22, and a male leopard, aged 5-6 years, was captured in the second cage around 6.45 a.m.

A Forest Department veterinarian examined all three animals and found them to be in good health. They were subsequently released into the dense forest, a press release said.

The Forest Department had on Thursday announced that only one leopard had been captured, stating that further details would be available on Friday.