Saragur: A four-year-old leopardess, which was caught in the fence that was erected around a banana plantation at Mullur village in the taluk, has been rescued by the Forest Department yesterday. The leopardess has suffered injuries on its legs and is being treated at Hediyala Range Forest Office.

One Harish, who had taken the land on contract basis, had planted banana saplings and had fenced the area to prevent wild animals from raiding the plantation. He was staying in the farm house close to the plantation and yesterday at about 6 am, he heard a strange sound coming near the banana plantation and on inspecting the place, he found a leopardess caught in the fence. He immediately informed the matter to the Forest   Department staff.

Forest Department personnel, who rushed to the spot, tranquillised the leopardess and freed it from the fence at about 11 am yesterday. As the animal was injured on its legs, it was taken to the Forest Office for treatment. Forest officials said that the leopardess would be released into the forests today (Monday).

Saragur Police Sub-Inspector Shravanadas Reddy, forest staff, Gram Panchayat President Govindachar and members Shivachennappa, Mahesh and others were present.