Operation to catch leopard intensified

Five traps set up, infrared drone cameras to be pressed into service

With reports of a few more sightings of a leopard in the residential localities around Nrupatunga Hills in Hubballi, the Forest Department has pressed a few more teams into service, apart from setting up traps and employing drone cameras to keep vigil.

In a bid to boost the morale of the residents, who are frightened over reports about sighting of the wild animal in the vicinity of Rajnagar, Shiradi Nagar and Nrupatunga Hill, Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad Nitesh Patil, along with Chief Conservator of Forest Manjunath Chauhan and Deputy Conservator of Forest Yashpal Kshirsagar, held a meeting with residents and elected representatives in Hubballi on Tuesday.

With reports about more sightings by the residents, the forest officials have intensified combing operations in the forests adjoining the residential localities. Fire crackers were also used to scare the wild animal away from the residential localities.