Leopard trapped in IIT campus

MUMBAI, August 21: A spotted visitor from Sanjay Gandhi National Park, who had been having a prolonged stay at IIT campus, Powai, was pac...

MUMBAI, August 21: A spotted visitor from Sanjay Gandhi National Park, who had been having a prolonged stay at IIT campus, Powai, was packed off rather unceremoniously from the campus this morning.

The leopard fell into a trap laid by the forest department personnel more than a month after it was first sighted by several campus residents. The big cat was usually seen in such unsavoury adventures as mauling dogs and chasing calves.

The trap consisted of a small cage with a hen kept inside a larger one. The feathered creature was to tempt the leopard, according to Major Rajesh Dhankar, security officer at IIT. Forest Department officials, who had undertaken the nab-leopard operation, kept a constant vigil by the cage, helped by IIT security officers.

At 5.30 am today the leopard finally entered the cage, 20 days after it was set up. As soon as the news spread, a crowd collected gathered around to take a glimpse of the animal. As a resident put it, 8220;It was like a Dandi march or something with everyone running to see the leopard.8221;

The vets of the forest department tranquilised the leopard and moved it into a separate cage and onto the Borivli national park.

Even as the campus calmed down after the early morning excitement, there were reports that another leopard had been spotted. Major Dhankar says one more is still on the prowl in the area.

Residents, however, were not unnerved. In fact, students were seen standing outside their rooms in the middle of the night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the leopard, says the major. Even the security guards say that though they were scared sometimes, 8220;It is still okay as the animals have not attacked any humans so far.8221;

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Besides, it was not the first time that a leopard has trespassed into IIT territory. 8220;One was spotted about five years back,8221; says the Major, 8220;and usually in search of prey,8221; he added.