Efforts on to capture leopard holed up in warehouse near Coimbatore without using tranquilliser

Forest staff have been asked to use various means to drive the animal from the hideout, says Chief Wildlife Warden

The Forest Department is keen on capturing the leopard holed up in an abandoned warehouse on Coimbatore-Palakkad Road without using tranquilliser dart.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj toldThe Hinduon Tuesday that he had not given an order to tranquillise the animal.“But have asked them [staff] to drive the animal using various means and then trap it,” he said.

The unused warehouse at B.K. Pudur, about 10 km from Coimbatore city, has two doors where the forest staff have placed cages. “If the carnivore comes out through the doors, it would get trapped,” said officials.