Nets, cameras, trap set up to rescue S Delhi leopard

The Sainik Farms area in south Delhi that abuts the southern Ridge forest has a new resident a leopard that has been trying to reclaim a patch of forest. The animal has been spotted multiple times since Friday, with the latest on Sunday night resulting in Delhi forest department officials cordoning off the area with nets.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

The 10-foot nets have been left open only on one side-towards the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, which the southern Ridge is a part of. Two camera traps have also been set up in the area to track the movements of the leopard.

Sushil Kumar, a Sainik farm resident, whose house lies directly opposite the forest area, said he spotted the leopard on Sunday at around 8.30pm. "We heard dogs howling and running out of the forest, and when we used our flashlights, we could see the leopard's eyes shining back at us. We also saw its body," he said.

Earlier on Sunday, forest officials had said they were yet to locate the leopard, and fresh pug marks at Asola Bhatti suggested that the animal had likely returned to the sanctuary.