Forest Officials Attempt to Capture Leopard in Veraval Town

Forest department officials in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat have been working diligently to capture a leopard reportedly spotted in Veraval town, near the famous Somnath temple. The leopard’s presence has caused considerable anxiety among residents.

Initial Sighting and Response on Veraval Town Leopard Spotting:

Khimanand Pampaniya, the Range Forest Officer (RFO) of Veraval range in Junagadh territorial forest division, reported to The Indian Express that residents of Mafatiyapara alerted forest staff on Saturday about a leopard sighting the previous night. Despite the prompt response, no direct or indirect evidence of the leopard was found.

Continued Efforts to Locate the Leopard:

The leopard was sighted again on Monday afternoon, prompting further efforts by the forest staff to locate the animal. Pampaniya explained, “Given the anxiety among residents, we mobilized a trap cage to the locality on Monday night.” However, Veraval’s dense population and urban environment have made capturing the leopard challenging.

Challenges in Capturing the Leopard Spotted at Veraval Town:

Veraval, the district headquarters of Gir Somnath and a significant fisheries harbor is heavily populated, complicating efforts to trap the leopard. Pampaniya noted, “Due to human presence, our staff is struggling to entice the animal into the trap cage.”

The area also features a nullah, or drainage canal, with tall vegetation providing potential shelter for the leopard. The presence of sewage water and deep pools complicates the task of wildlife rescuers. 

Pampaniya mentioned that they have requested the chief officer of Veraval municipality to remove the vegetation to facilitate the capture.

Successful Capture in Nearby Village:

In a related development, forest staff successfully caged a leopard from Nakhada, a village approximately 25 km from Veraval town, late on Tuesday. 

The RFO reported that residents of Nakhada village had complained about a leopard posing a threat to their safety, leading to the successful rescue operation.

Despite the challenges, forest department officials continue to ensure Veraval’s residents’ safety and capture the elusive leopard.

Get all the latest news on Indian daily post