Forest officials successfully rescued a leopard that had been trapped by hunters in a remote forested area near Kokodi village along the Chhattisgarh–Odisha border. The animal had reportedly been struggling in the trap for several days before authorities were alerted.
Rescue Operation by Forest Department
The incident came to light during a routine inspection by Gopal Kashyap, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO) of Udanti–Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh. Local residents informed officials that the leopard had been caught in a hunter’s trap for nearly seven days.
Acting promptly, the forest department deployed a rescue team to the site. The leopard was safely freed and immediately shifted for medical care.
Leopard Under Veterinary Treatment
According to forest officials, the leopard sustained multiple injuries around its neck, some of which appeared to be several days old. Due to its weakened condition, the animal had become vulnerable to illegal hunting activities in the area.
Barun Jain, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Udanti–Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, confirmed that the rescued leopard was transferred to the Jungle Safari Hospital in the early hours of the morning and is currently undergoing treatment under veterinary supervision.
Call for Vigilance Against Poaching
The forest department has urged local communities to remain alert and immediately report any signs of poaching, snares, or illegal traps. Officials emphasized that timely information from residents plays a crucial role in preventing wildlife crimes and reducing human–animal conflict in sensitive forest regions.
Authorities have also initiated efforts to trace those responsible for setting the trap, as part of ongoing measures to protect wildlife in the border forest areas.
