Lucknow: The forest department has rescued a female leopard believed to be responsible for the fatal attack on an 88-year-old man in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division of Bahraich district.Katarniaghat Wildlife Division said the animal was safely trapped in a cage on Monday in Ahiranpurwa village under the Kakraha Range, following an intensive search and surveillance drive.The operation began after a human-wildlife conflict episode on July 18, when an 88-year-old villager was killed in a leopard attack in Ahiranpurwa. The death triggered panic across Kakraha and adjoining villages, with residents demanding swift action to capture the animal.Divisional forest officer Apoorv Dixit directed the range forest officer of Kakraha to deploy multiple teams for continuous day-and-night patrolling in the affected area. After receiving approvals from higher authorities, the department installed a trapping cage at a location identified as sensitive to leopard movement.Officials said sustained surveillance, round-the-clock patrolling and coordinated field efforts led to the capture without injury to the leopard.The department identified the captured animal as a female leopard, estimated to be around five-year-old.Forest officials said further action will be taken in line with established wildlife conservation protocols. Residents living near forest fringes have been advised to remain vigilant and promptly report any wildlife movement to the department.
