Leopard rescued from ICRISAT campus in Patancheru released into Amrabad Tiger Reserve

Hyderabad: A male leopard, approximately five to six years old, that had been roaming the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) campus in Patancheru, Sangareddy District, for nearly a week, was successfully captured and released into the wild on the night of April 17, 2025. The leopard was safely relocated to the Amrabad Tiger Reserve in Nagarkurnool district by forest officials.

The Telangana Forest Department launched a rescue operation after ICRISAT staff reported sightings of two leopards on the campus. To capture the animals, forest officials set up two trap cages with goats as bait and deployed 30 to 40 surveillance cameras.

The rescued leopard was transported to Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad for a medical check-up, where it was found to be in good health. After the examination, it was deemed fit for release and was relocated to the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.

J. Vasantha, IFS, Curator of Nehru Zoological Park, stated that the leopard had been kept in the zoo's quarantine block under the supervision of a veterinary team led by Dr. M.A. Hakeem, Deputy Director (Vet). Preliminary reports confirmed that the leopard’s health was stable and suitable for reintroduction into the wild.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the ICRISAT campus, as another leopard is suspected to still be in the area. Additional cameras and trap cages have been installed to ensure the safety of both campus residents and the wildlife.