The Forest Department team on Tuesday morning successfully captured the leopard that had been terrorizing the Mahsi tehsil area of Bahraich district for the past month.
The animal was safely trapped in a cage set up near Karipurwa Katha village under the Tejwapur development block.
The leopard had become a symbol of fear in Mahsi, especially after an elderly woman was killed in an attack in Umri Dehloh village six days ago. Following the incident, panic spread throughout the region, forcing villagers to keep night vigils armed with sticks. With the leopard’s capture, residents have finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Mahsi tehsil has been struggling with wildlife attacks for the past three years. Two years ago, man-eating wolves claimed the lives of nine children and two adults. This year as well, several people in the region were injured in wildlife encounters. In the neighboring Kaisarganj tehsil, wolf attacks resulted in the deaths of two elderlies along with several children.
In light of the recurring incidents, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier visited the wolf-affected areas and ordered an operation to neutralise the threat. Several wolves were eliminated, though the attacks did not completely cease. The recent arrival of the leopard had once again instilled fear among locals.
DFO Bahraich, Ram Singh, confirmed that the leopard has been captured and will be released at a designated location after necessary examination and procedures.