A leopard was rescued on Thursday after getting trapped in a wire fence on a patta land along Paraikal Road at Irumpupalam in Pandalur Range, about one km from the Reserved Forest boundary.
According to forest officials, the animal is believed to have strayed from the nearby forest on Wednesday night and got entangled in the fence. Villagers who heard its growls during the night stayed indoors out of fear. On Thursday morning, they found the leopard trapped and informed the Forest Department.
A team led by the Pandalur Range Officer reached the spot and confirmed that the animal was struggling to free itself. The area was cordoned off, and the public was advised to stay away for safety.
The rescue was carried out under the guidance of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force and the Chief Conservator of Forests & Field Director, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. The team included the District Forest Officer of Gudalur Division, the Forest Veterinary Assistant Surgeon from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, and the Pandalur Range Officer.
As the leopard was aggressive and the wire was long, manual rescue was not possible. The animal was tranquilised from a safe distance, given medical attention inside a transport cage, and kept under observation. It will be released into the forest after veterinary clearance.
Published – November 13, 2025 05:53 pm IST
