Mysore/Mysuru: A three-year-old leopardess has been trapped in a cage placed by the Forest Department at an agri field in Marballi village, Jayapura hobli in the taluk yesterday.

Villagers, who had observed movements of a big wild cat since 15 days in the fields, had complained about it to the Forest Department authorities. Forest officials, who inspected the spot, found pug marks and had placed a cage at an agriculture field last week, but the leopard could not be trapped.

Two days ago, a leopard had killed a goat belonging to a farmer following which fear had gripped the villagers. But yesterday, the leopardess walked into the cage to feed on chicken placed inside the cage and was trapped. The leopardess was microchipped and released into the forest.

The menace of leopards has increased in Mysuru region, with the Forest Department capturing the problem-giving leopards and relocating them. The captured leopards are microchipped and a small ‘V’ shape cut is made on its  ear for identification and to track their movements.