Leopard dies as villagers catch it to free it in forest

Pathanamthitta: A leopard that strayed into a village in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district died afterstruggling hard to escape from villagers who had captured the animal and wanted to hand it over to Wildlife officials tofree it in forest.

The leopard was spotted at Angamuzhi on the fringes of the Ranni division of Goodrikkal forest in the morning and it raninto a rubber estate after frightening some early-risers near a village school, officials said.

While the scared villagers remained vigilant, the leopard remained inside the estate till the afternoon.

Villagers also informed wildlife officials about the presence of the animal.

As the heat and humidity soared, the restless animal emerged from the estate and attacked some villagers who hadgathered to tackle it. Then a group of people, some adept in handling wild animals, managed to overpower and bind its limbswith a rope and cover the mouth with a cloth.

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However,the leopard which was carried to a wildlife department van parked nearby died before reaching it,officials said.

A wildlife official said the leopard might have died of exhaustion caused by the struggle and injuries sufferedwhile being overpowered. The carcass has been sent for autopsy.

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Villagers said their intention was to catch the animal alive and hand it over to wildlife officials for freeingit in the forest.It was unfortunate that they could not save it,they said.