Palakkad (Keralam) | A leopard that was caught in a cage trap in the Kollengode area here was rescued and released by the Forest Department on Monday, officials said.

According to Forest Department officials, the leopard was caught in the cage trap set up at Mathur near Kollengode around 1 am.

Locals gathered at the spot after the animal was trapped and demanded that it be transferred to a zoo rather than released back into the forest.

The residents said leopards captured in the area in the past had been released into forests in Parambikulam or Nelliampathi but later returned to the locality, posing a threat to people.

The latest incident has caused resentment among residents, who said that people venturing out early in the morning for work or to deliver milk risk encountering leopards.

However, after evaluating that the leopard is young and healthy, officers rejected the demand and released it into the Parambikulam forest early Monday, officials said.

Around two months ago, another leopard was caught after the Forest Department placed a cage trap in the area, officials said.

The area is located on the forest fringes and wild animals frequently venture into the villages here, officials added.