After two months, a leopard which was killing cattle in the villages of Kondapally Mandal, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, has been finally caught on camera, while it was preying on a calf in Govindapally village on Friday. Based on the photograph, officials say that the animal could be 5-6 years old.

Forest officials said that the animal was ‘intelligent’ and had avoided all their attempts to capture it. “For two months, we didn't know if the animal was alone or whether it was a family. The animal is very intelligent and it avoided all our attempts to catch it. Finally one of our cameras could capture it,” said Additional Principal Conservator of Forests, Sidanand.

“We now have come to a conclusion that the animal is alone. However, we cannot determine if the animal is male or female,” he added.

The leopard has killed several cows and sheep, putting the farmers under severe distress. “We'd paid compensation for their (farmer's) loss,” said an official.

The officials have laid two trap cages to catch the animal. However, the feline has been outsmarting them. Six cameras have been affixed in the villages within the radius of 29 kms. Night patrol teams have also been engaged to capture the animal. Further, they have collected pug marks, droppings etc. Authorities also ruled out the possibility of it being the same animal which was spotted at International Crops Research Institute (ICRISAT) last month.

“This animal is a different one. We are planning to relocate it as soon as we capture it,” official said.

Authorities have issued instructions to the villagers against venturing outside late in the night.

Last month, a leopard was spotted lurking in the ICRISAT campus located in Patancheru. Though trap cages have been laid and teams have been deputed to tranquilize and capture it, the animal is yet to be caught.