Leopard Captured Alive in Kupwara’s Ashpora Village

A full grown leopard was captured alive on Sunday morning in Ashpora village of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. The operation was jointly carried out by the Forest Department and Jammu and Kashmir Police, bringing a sense of relief to villagers who had been living in fear for the past several days after spotting the wild animal near their homes.

According to local sources, residents of Ashpora noticed the leopard roaming near the outskirts of the village early in the morning. They immediately informed the Forest Department and the local police station. Responding swiftly, officials reached the area and took control of the situation before the animal could harm anyone.

Farooq Ahmad Peer, Forest Officer of the Kupwara Block, said, “We acted promptly to ensure the leopard did not enter the residential area. Our team managed to trap the animal safely without causing it any harm.”

He added that “no humans or livestock were injured during the operation. The leopard is in good health and will be relocated to a suitable natural habitat where it can be properly cared for.”

The rescue team was assisted by SHO Kralgund, Sameer Ahmad, who said, “Our goal was to prevent any man-animal conflict. Thanks to the Forest Department’s swift and skilled action, we avoided what could have been a serious incident.”

Villagers expressed their gratitude to the authorities for their timely and coordinated response. Many said that in recent weeks, wild animals have been increasingly sighted near villages, likely due to food shortages in the higher forested areas.

An elderly resident remarked, “We were afraid to step out at night. Now we can finally sleep in peace.”

Forest officials said that surveillance across the region has been intensified to prevent similar incidents in the future. They also urged villagers to remain vigilant and to report any wildlife sightings immediately to the authorities.

The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between humans and wildlife and the importance of coexistence and conservation in Kashmir’s fragile ecosystem.