J&K's wildlife dept captures stray leopard

In a video that went viral on social media, a leopard can be seen walking along a road in Chingam village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. The animal had strayed to the road from a nearby forest area and was later captured by the wildlife department officials.

Kishtwar (Jammu and Kashmir): A leopard was captured by the Wildlife Department after it strayed from a nearby forest to a road in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.

A video that went viral on social media showed the big cat walking along a road in Chingam village of Chatroo surrounded by a lush, green forest. Some men can be seen walking behind the leopard while capturing the unusual sight on their mobile phones.

The leopard is seen moving peacefully, unmindful of the presence of humans, and even walks past some cars whose occupants observe the animal from close quarters.

A department official said the leopard was captured two days ago and is presently under observation.

"The animal is sick and is undergoing treatment at a trauma centre in Kishtwar. It is under observation and is showing signs of recovery," said the official.

District Development Commissioner (Kishtwar) A S Rana appealed people to exercise caution in such a situation in order to ensure their safety as well as the safety of the wild animals.

Some netizens blamed deforestation and encroachment of animal habitat as reasons for the incident.

"This is the outcome of deforestation...obviously they will come in our homes since we (have) destroyed theirs," a Facebook user said in response to the video.