3 stray leopardesses rescued in 18 days in Kheri

Pilibhit: Forest authorities in Kheri district have rescued three stray leopardesses in the past 18 days amid an increase in leopard sightings near villages adjoining the North Kheri forest division.The latest rescue took place on Tuesday morning in Bhiraruri village near the North Nighasan forest range, where an adult leopardess was trapped in a cage that had been set up a week earlier following reports of her movement close to human settlements.Range officer Bhupendra Singh said the leopardess was shifted to the range headquarters, where a veterinary examination found the three-year-old animal to be healthy and free of injuries. “We are awaiting directions from the state’s chief wildlife warden on whether she will be released into the wild or relocated to a zoo,” he said.Earlier, leopardesses were rescued from Latthua village on May 22 and Sahajna village on May 25. Both were released in remote forest areas to reduce the chances of them returning to human habitations, Singh said.