Gangtok, Jun 17: An adult male common leopard (Panthera pardus) was successfully rescued from Nesurgaon, Soreng Busty under Soreng District on June 17 by the Soreng Wildlife Range team. Acting on the direction of Divisional Forest Officer (WL West) Nisha Subba, the team led by Range Officer Krishna P. Dahal had installed a capture cage at the site on June 15 after tracking the animal’s movements using camera traps.

The operation followed reports of cattle being lifted from surrounding villages. Based on the frequency of sightings and the extent of damage, authorities identified Nesurgaon as the optimal location for trapping the leopard.

The common leopard, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, is known for its adaptability but often comes into conflict with humans when venturing into settlements in search of prey. In recent years, Soreng District has witnessed a steady rise in such human-leopard interactions, attributed to the proximity of forested areas and the availability of domesticated animals.

This latest capture marks the sixth male leopard rescued and relocated from human habitation in Soreng District over the past two years. The Forest Department has also been providing ex-gratia compensation to villagers affected by cattle loss, in accordance with government guidelines.

Following a preliminary health examination, the rescued leopard was found to be in good condition and has been safely released into a secure, wildlife-friendly habitat away from human settlements.