The leopard that sowed chaos in Kashipur has been securely caged, lifting the shroud of fear blanketing Udham Singh Nagar district. Uttarakhand’s forest warriors executed a flawless nighttime capture, quelling a crisis that had gripped the region since the big cat’s first brazen appearances.
Residents’ ordeal was marked by chilling details: paw prints near doorsteps, guttural growls piercing the silence, and mauled animals signaling the predator’s hunger. Over 200 families in peripheral areas fitted makeshift barriers, while traffic halted on key roads during peak leopard hours.
The takedown was precision-engineered. Baited with fresh meat, the cage was positioned based on pugmark trails and drone footage. As villagers held vigil from rooftops, the leopard entered at dusk, sealing its fate with a decisive snap. Handlers confirmed no injuries, praising the animal’s vitality.
‘We’ve reclaimed our peace,’ exulted farmer Gopal Singh, whose calf fell victim days prior. Analysis points to ecological shifts—deforestation and rodent booms from floods—drawing leopards closer to sustenance.
Statistically, Uttarakhand logs 150+ leopard attacks yearly, with Udham Singh Nagar topping the list due to its agro-forest interface. Initiatives like SMART patrolling and village panchayat funds for trenches offer promise, but experts urge national-level habitat restoration.
The captured feline heads to Haldwani’s rehabilitation hub for evaluation, potentially joining radio-tagged peers in distant reserves. Parallel efforts educate on coexistence: livestock sheds, reflector taalas, and rapid-response apps.
This victory tempers optimism with vigilance. As Uttarakhand hurtles toward tourism and industry booms, safeguarding its leopards—symbols of wild heritage—demands collective resolve. The cage in Kashipur closes one chapter, but the wild’s call persists.