Nashik: A three-year-old leopard was trapped in a cage installed by the forest department at Usthale village in Peth taluka of the district.
According to the forest department, many citizens had reported to the forest department that a leopard was seen in the Usthale area. Forest officials conducted a physical inspection and confirmed that the leopard was present.
After the villagers demanded that a cage be installed in the area, the forest department installed one with the help of local villagers yesterday evening.
This morning, it was learned that the leopard, about 3 years old, was trapped in the cage.
Since the leopard had been present in the Usthale area for the past month, the forest department had undertaken a public awareness programme to alert citizens.
Under the guidance of officer Yogesh Salve, the leopard was rescued with the help of forest guards Tanaji Bhoye, Mazhar Sheikh, Dilshan Pathan, Bharat Chaudhary, Kusum Gawli, and local villagers.
Earlier, the leopard attacked and killed cows and goats belonging to Jamunkal and Bardapada villagers.