A leopard trapped in a trap laid for wildlife rescued, released into a tiger reserve

The leopard is taken to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve for release. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A leopard trapped in a trap laid on farmland at Pattavayal in Gudalur forest division of the Nilgiris was rescued by the forest department and released into the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) early on Thursday.

The forest department said it received information that a leopard was trapped in a fence at the property of NC Krishnan, a resident of Velleri at Pattavayal in the Bitherkad range, around 8 pm on Wednesday. Once they arrived at the location, they learned that the animal had been caught in a trap placed around the farm.

MTR veterinary assistant K. Rajesh Kumar joined the rescue operation.

The forest department said the animal was rescued and treated for its injuries and brought in a specially designed cage to the tiger reserve.

After the release, the forest department launched an investigation to identify the person responsible for laying the trap and arrested K. Balan, a 40-year-old daily wage labourer.

He admitted to setting a trap for small wildlife, officials said.

In a separate incident, a tiger was found dead in the Sigur forest range in the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve on Wednesday.

Officials said the body was discovered by field workers during a routine patrol. An autopsy was performed on the carcass, after which it was destroyed. Officials said a preliminary investigation pointed to natural causes.

Published – 10 Jul 2026 0:12 IST