Mumbai: One suspect leopard trapped, search on for other big cat in Aarey Colony

Leopard C-55 was captured in the early hours of Wednesday

One of the two male leopards suspected to be behind the fatal attack on a toddler on Diwali and a few more man-animal conflicts at Aarey Milk Colony has been trapped and authorities have stepped up the efforts to catch the other. The captured leopard has been identified as C-55, while forest officials and volunteers have increased night patrols in the green zone.

Etika Lot died after being attacked by a leopard on Diwali

G Mallikarjun, Sanjay Gandhi National Park's field director and conservator of forest, said, "In the wee hours of Wednesday, we captured one male leopard [C-55] which was later brought to the rescue centre at SGNP. The medical examination of the animal was done by our vet Dr Shailesh Pethe. The animal is around three years old and it has been kept under observation by our vet."

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Mallikarjun said that the forest department teams would continue monitoring the other male leopard - C-56 - in the field. "We have installed a total of 30 camera traps around unit No. 15 and at other locations in Aarey Milk Colony to monitor the leopard's activities," said Mallikarjun.

A patrol team from SGNP, at Aarey Milk Colony on Thursday. Pic/Anurag Ahire

In the early hours of Monday, a leopard killed 16-month-old Etika Lot inside Aarey when her mother went to light a diya at a temple less than 20 feet away from their home. The baby was found grievously wounded after about 40 minutes and later died of her injuries at SevenHills Hospital, Marol. Earlier this month, a four-year-old boy from Aarey was injured in a leopard attack.

Volunteers from the Aarey Camera Trapping Team and NGO WWA are assisting the forest department to trap C-56. On Monday night, one trap cage was set up in the green zone, while two more were installed on Tuesday night. Leopard C-55 walked into a cage in the early hours of Wednesday, said officials. Sources said the forest department and officials from Thane and Sanjay Gandhi National Park have increased night patrolling in the area. They are also visiting tribal hamlets to spread awareness.