Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Leopard Rescued and Released Despite Residents’ Zoo Demand
A leopard was caught in a cage near Kollengode.
The trap was set up in Mathur, close to the forest.
Forest officials checked the animal and said it was young and healthy.
They released it into Parambikulam forest on Monday.
Local residents did not want the leopard released there.
They worried it might come back to the villages.
Residents also said people could meet leopards while going to work or delivering milk early in the morning.
Officials said another leopard had been caught in the area about two months earlier.
A leopard was caught in a cage trap at Mathur near Kollengode around 1 a.m.
Forest Department officials rescued the leopard and released it into Parambikulam forest on Monday.
Residents demanded that the leopard be transferred to a zoo instead of being released.
Residents said previously released leopards had returned to the locality and threatened people.
Officials said the leopard was young and healthy, while the area frequently sees wild animals entering villages.
- Who
- A leopard, Forest Department officials, and residents of the Kollengode area.
- What
- A trapped leopard was rescued and released into Parambikulam forest despite residents’ demand that it be sent to a zoo.
- When
- Around 1 a.m.; the leopard was released early Monday, with the report dated September 14.
- Where
- Mathur near Kollengode in Palakkad, Kerala, and Parambikulam forest.
- Why
- Officials said the leopard was young and healthy, while residents opposed its release because previously released leopards had returned to the locality.
Residents’ Concerns
Forest Department’s Decision
Where the leopard should go
Residents’ Concerns
Residents wanted the leopard transferred to a zoo rather than released into the forest.
Forest Department’s Decision
Officials rejected the demand and released the leopard into Parambikulam forest.
Risk of the leopard returning
Residents’ Concerns
Residents said leopards released in Parambikulam or Nelliampathi in the past later returned to the locality and posed a threat to people.
Forest Department’s Decision
Officials said they evaluated the leopard as young and healthy before releasing it.
Community safety
Residents’ Concerns
Residents feared that people going out early for work or milk delivery could encounter leopards.
Forest Department’s Decision
Officials noted that the area lies on the forest fringes, where wild animals frequently enter villages.
- Animal
- Leopard
- Trap location
- Mathur near Kollengode
- Capture time
- Around 1 a.m.
- Release location
- Parambikulam forest
- Residents’ demand
- Transfer the leopard to a zoo
- Officials’ assessment
- The leopard was young and healthy
- Recent similar incident
- Another leopard was caught in the area about two months earlier