Trap Cages around RGIA Shamshabad by Forest Dept

Hyderabad: The Forest Department has put up two trap cages around Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad here on Sunday following reports that a leopard was sighted near the airport premises a few weeks ago.

On receiving information about sighting of a leopard, the forest department officials inspected the spot and installed 10 camera traps. Again on Sunday, they installed 10 more camera traps besides the trap cages to catch the leopard.

The department first put up camera traps following a request from the airport officials stating that the leopard was killing wild pigs. However, no trace of pug marks were found in the cameras. The department installed 10 more cameras after receiving a request from the airport officials again.

The forest officials requested the people residing in nearby colonies not to panic as various precautionary measures were taken.

Trap By Forest Dept

The Telangana State Forest Department on Sunday issued a statatement saying they didn’t find any signs of a leopard in the vicinity of Hyderabad international airport, at Shamshabad.

Forest Officials, who set up 10 trap cameras and two trap cages with baits after a CCTV footage captured the animal’s movement a few days ago, said that the cameras or the forest staff did not find any signs of a leopard in and around the airport premises.

Forest department officials were kept on tenterhooks for more than 20 days after CCTV footage in the premises showed a big cat roaming inside the airport area.

“After receiving complaints about leopards killing wild boars in the vicinity, we have also sent the carcasses of wild boars for analysis and found that they were killed by dogs. The footage from the camera traps also revealed only presence of wild boars and dogs,” said Shyam Kumar, forest range officer, Shamshabad.

“We suspect that the animal which was captured in the CCTV footage could be a Civet or some other jungle cat.We request locals to not panic as there is no leopard in the area,” he added.

The vast open land with shrubs and dense vegetation in and around the airport, however, is highly suitable for leopard habitat, with its rich prey base.

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