Shopian, Feb 11 : A leopard was spotted perched atop a tree in Turkawangam village of Shopian district on Wednesday, triggering panic and curiosity among locals as thousands gathered at the site, turning the incident into a centre of attraction.
According to officials, the wild animal was first noticed early in the day after it climbed a tall tree within the village limits. News of the sighting spread quickly, drawing large crowds from surrounding areas and concern over public safety.
Teams from the Wildlife Department, along with police personnel, rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area to prevent any untoward incident. Locals were advised to maintain distance as officials assessed the situation and prepared for a rescue operation.
After sometime, the leopard was successfully tranquilized by trained wildlife experts and safely brought down from the tree. The operation was carried out without any injury to the animal or to the inhabitants present at the scene.
An official said the leopard was later shifted from the area and will be released back into its natural habitat after completing the required medical observation and safety protocols.
Authorities have once again appealed to inhabitants living near forest fringes to remain vigilant and immediately inform the Wildlife Department in case of any wildlife movement to ensure timely response and avoid human animal conflict.
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