Leopard jumps on people in Kannur. File photo: Vidhuraj M.T.Kannur: The Kerala forest department is probing whether a leopard caught from the town last March was a pet animal. Veterinary surgeon Dr. Jayakumar, who examined the animal, had suspicions that it could have grown up with human beings.
Forest officials will visit houses in the area from where the leopard was caught and make inquiries. The leopard, spotted in the populated Thayatheruvu area, was subdued with tranquilizer gun and then shifted to the Neyyar wildlife sanctuary in Thiruvananthapuram.
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The doctor examined it as part of pre-release measures. His report says the leopard did not attempt to kill or eat live rabbit and goat given to it for food. Besides, there were signs that it was bathed with shampoo. Its lifestyle gave the impression that it had grown up with human beings. The doctor cautioned against its release into the woods as the wild cat did not appear to be accustomed to living in the forest.
However, divisional forest officer Sunil Pamidi does not buy the idea that the leopard could have grown up among people. He thinks it did not attack live prey because it is not used to hunting, having been at a zoo for long. In any case, a probe is on to allay doubts.
He said inquiries will also be made if local people have any doubts on this.
