Kozhikode: Residents of Koodaranji grama panchayat breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday morning when a leopard was captured in a cage set up by the Forest Department in Kooriyad, a residential area in Perumboola.

The leopard had been responsible for attacking and killing domestic and wild animals in the area. Forest officials had installed the cage on January 4, a day after the animal chased and injured a local resident.

Gracy Paikkattu, a Kooriyad resident, was chased by the leopard while tending to her goats near her home. She got injured while escaping from the leopard and was admitted to a private hospital in Koodaranji. The leopard also attacked her goats during the incident.

Following the attack, forest officials confirmed the presence of the leopard after analysing its faeces and pugmarks. CCTV cameras were installed to track the animal’s movements, and the cage was frequently relocated along its identified route. A dog was eventually used as bait to trap the leopard.