Darjeeling: Workers of Borodighi Tea Garden in the Meteli block of Jalpaiguri breathed a sigh of relief, with the trapping of a leopard that had been roaming the garden and attacking people.
Recently, an assistant manager of the tea garden, along with two workers, had been grievously injured in a leopard attack. The management had then requested the Forest department to look into the attacks.
On Saturday, the Forest department had set up cages in section number 15 of the garden. On Tuesday morning, workers found a leopard trapped inside the cage.
The Forest department was intimated. A large crowd had gathered to see the trapped feline. The leopard was highly agitated and had hurt its face.
The male leopard, which is around 3 years in age, was then taken to Lataguri Wildlife Interpretation Centre. "After treatment, we will release the leopard in the Gorumara forest," stated a Forest department official.
Close proximity of the tea garden to the Lataguri Forest makes it highly vulnerable. Leopards are spotted regularly in the garden. "There are many leopards in the estate. The Forest department has assured us that cages will again be set up soon," stated Samir Mahali, a Gram Panchayat member.
Meanwhile, local residents of the Peshok area in Darjeeling spotted a leopard carcass on Monday. They informed the Forest department, following which the carcass of the full-grown leopard was recovered.