Leopard strays into a house near Nagpur

Nagpur, Feb 26 (PTI) A leopard strayed into a house inShankarpur-Bela village near here in Eastern Maharashtratoday, Forest Department officials said.

The big cat was later caught by the forest personneland veterinary doctors after a two-hour long operation in thevillage, some 20 km from here.

A villager, Sudhakar Tarwadkar (48), was shocked tofind the leopard resting in an isolated place in his home whenhe woke up at 5.30 am.

Tarwadkar quickly took his wife and other familymembers out of the house and locked it. He informed the localpolice who in turn called the forest personnel.

The forest officials, led by Conservator of Forest(Nagpur division) N Rambabu and helped by experts and aveterinary doctor, launched an operation to catch the leopardand succeed in their effort in afternoon.

The wild animal will be released in the jungle in acouple of days, the officials said.