Leopard Captured at ICRISAT After Week-Long Hunt

Leopard Captured at ICRISAT After Week-Long Search

Hyderabad, April 18, 2025: Forest department officials successfully captured a leopard that had been roaming the premises of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad for the past week. The big cat had created panic among staff and local residents after being spotted multiple times within the research campus.

To ensure public safety and capture the animal without harm, forest officials set up multiple cages in areas where the leopard was suspected to be active. The animal’s movements were closely monitored through CCTV cameras installed by the department, which recently captured clear footage of the leopard near a frequently visited area.

Following the visual confirmation, two specially designed traps were strategically placed in high-activity zones within the ICRISAT campus. On Wednesday night, the leopard was finally caught in one of the cages without incident.

Medak District Forest Officer (DFO) Sridhar Rao confirmed the capture and stated that the leopard is being shifted to Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad. There, it will undergo a series of medical examinations to assess its health and determine whether it can be released back into the wild.

The DFO also assured that the animal had not harmed anyone and praised the coordination between the forest department and ICRISAT officials, which led to a safe and successful operation. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious but calm, as no further leopard sightings have been reported in the vicinity.