4-year-old male leopard trapped in cage

Villagers, living in fear of leopards prowling around hamlets in Kodanadu-Kothagiri area for the past few months, got some relief as a four-year-old male cat was today found trapped in a cage set up by the forest department.

Four traps were set up by the forest department in the entire area over the past few months following requests from the panic-stricken villagers.

Two leopards have already been trapped and released into the jungles near Avalanje, forest department officials said.

The area includes Kodanadu Estate where former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa used to stay during her visit to the Nilgiris.