A sense of normalcy returned to the villages near the Panipat Refinery today as the multi-day operation to catch an elusive leopard ended in success.
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The Operation: Following multiple sightings and a fresh cattle kill reported late last night, wildlife teams repositioned their trap cages. The leopard entered the cage around 4:00 AM, attracted by the live bait.
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Weeks of Fear: The leopard’s presence had caused widespread panic, leading to the closure of local schools and forcing farmers to avoid their fields after sunset. “We have been tracking this leopard for 12 days. It was highly agile and managed to evade our initial traps by moving through the dense foliage of the refinery’s peripheral forest,” said a senior Wildlife Officer.
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Health Assessment: A veterinary team from Rohtak Zoo was called in to assess the animal’s condition. The leopard showed no signs of injury but was visibly stressed. It was administered a mild sedative to ensure a safe journey to its new home.
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Safety Protocol: While the main threat has been neutralized, officials have advised villagers to remain cautious for a few more days as they check for the presence of any other predators in the area.
Community Sentiment
“We haven’t slept properly for ten nights. Every sound outside felt like the leopard was there. Seeing that cage being loaded onto the truck this morning was the biggest relief our village has had in months. We can finally go back to our fields without looking over our shoulders every minute,” said a resident of Dadola village.
