Dibrugarh: A male leopard that had been terrorising residents and killing livestock at the Daimukhia Tea Estate in Tinsukia district’s Doomdooma was captured in an iron cage on Monday morning, bringing relief to the local community after days of fear and anxiety.The forest department had placed the iron cage at a strategic location within the estate three days ago, following repeated complaints from residents. The leopard finally walked into the trap on Monday, ending what had been weeks of distress for plantation workers and villagers in the area.News of the capture spread quickly through the estate and nearby settlements. Locals gathered in large numbers at the site to see the caged animal before forest personnel transported it to the Doomdooma forest office.“The leopard had been causing significant distress to the local community by preying on their livestock. We placed the cage three days ago and monitored it closely. We are glad the animal is now safely in our custody,” a forest official said.Workers at the tea estate had been living under constant threat of leopard attack and the capture has come as a relief.According to the forest official, the leopard will now undergo a full health examination at the Doomdooma forest office. Once veterinarians certify it fit, the animal will be released into the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, the dense tropical forest reserve in Tinsukia district known for its rich biodiversity.“The animal appears to be a healthy. Once we confirm there are no external injuries or underlying health issues, he will be transported to his new home,” the official said.The incident is the latest in a series of leopard intrusions reported from tea estates across Doomdooma and the broader upper Assam region in recent times.
