Delhi's first 'resident' leopard, who had made Wazirabad's Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP) home, was finally captured on Saturday morning.

The big cat was temporarily kept at the National Zoological Park (NZP) on Mathura Road, but was eventually released in Haryana's Kalesar National Park, where it strayed from, following the course of river Yamuna. 

It was believed that the leopard originally inhabited the forests in Haryana.  






The leopard was tranquilised and preliminary examination of paws and canine was done in the field itself to check for any external injuries


After complaints from fearful locals, the Delhi Government forest officials had placed two big cages with live lambs as bait. 

The feline fell for it after a hide-and-seek game which lasted for 30 days, as it was first reportedly sighted on November 21.

Many ecologists and wildlife enthusiasts had protested the move, but the forest officials were worried about the safety of the animal as well as the surrounding villagers.

The DDA park is nestled around Jagatpur floodwaters Bund, which is surrounded by five-six villages, including Sangam Vihar, Baba Colony, etc. consisting of a population of at least 5000 people. 






Locals in Haryana's Sohna district had mercilessly beaten a leopard to death, scaring the authorities about the presence of the big cat in the crowded city


Recently, locals in Haryana's Sohna district had mercilessly beaten a leopard to death, scaring the authorities about the presence of the big cat in the crowded heart of the city. 

Chief Wildlife Warden of Delhi, AK Shukla said: 'The leopard finally ventured inside one of the cages about 8-8:30 this morning, and was caught. Large number of people gathered to see it.' 









The Forest department took help of the DCP North and local SHO to control the crowd from harming the leopard.

'It is a young sub-adult male of about 3 years,' said Shukla. 

'The leopard was tranquilised and preliminary examination of paws and canine were done in the field itself to check if the animal had any external injuries.' 

Thereafter, the animal was shifted to NZP in an ambulance, where the blood samples collected to check if it was suffering from any diseases, informed a forest officer. 






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YBP scientists, however, were unhappy that the animal was moved to a different location. 

CR Babu, Professor Emeritus at Delhi University's 'Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems,' who was also instrumental in setting up the park, said: 'As there is a ready habitat in YBP, big cats will keep coming. How will they stop them? This action was arbitrary. There is still no policy best play school in mathura place.' 

Scientist-in-charge, Faiyaz Khudsar, said: 'This prevented an ecological climax succession which comes with the arrival of a top carnivore. However, it is the decision of the government.'



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