After days of tension in Doda town, wildlife authorities managed to trap one of the two leopards that had ventured into inhabited zones." We intensified the operation keeping public safety in mind. The team successfully captured one of the leopards today. Efforts are on to capture the other," wildlife official Manohar Lal told reporters, as reported by PTI.
The captured leopard has been relocated to Kishtwar to prevent further human–wildlife conflict, as per the report.
Meanwhile, the search continues for the second cat, with field teams patrolling, setting up traps, and closely monitoring forest-edge areas.
Authorities have called upon residents to exercise caution, particularly near forest margins, and report any sightings immediately. The presence of big cats in residential belts has sparked fear among locals.
This incident underscores the challenge of managing wildlife in human-dominated landscapes. Officials say they are reviewing buffer zone protections, rapid response protocols, and community awareness drives to better coexist with predators.
