Fourth leopard captured in UP’s Dudhwa Buffer zone since August 2

Four leopards have been captured in the Belrayan forest range of Uttar Pradesh's Dudhwa buffer zone since August 2, following a series of big cat attacks on villagers in the area, officials said.

The latest leopard was captured on Sunday night in a cage installed at a farmhouse near Murtiha village, forest range officer Bhupendra Singh told PTI.

The captured leopard has been brought to the range headquarters for medical examination and further action, he said.

The Belrayan forest range has witnessed increased leopard movement in recent weeks, prompting the forest department to install cages at several sensitive locations to prevent further incidents.

"Forest teams are regularly patrolling and keeping a close watch over leopard movements," Singh said.

The department has intensified its efforts to capture leopards following recent attacks on villagers in the area.

The latest capture takes the number of leopards trapped in the Belrayan range to four since August 2.