Mysore: Early wednesday morning, forest department officials trapped a male leopard two to three years of age at Gowrishankar Nagar, at the foot of Chamundi Hills in Mysore.

The Deputy Conservator of forests, V Karikalan, Deputy Conservator of Forests, confirmed the capture and indicated that the cage was immediately shofted to Aranya Bhavan after which it was decidied to release the leopard at Moolehole Forest Range.

It was the third leopard captured in the vicinity and it may be recalled that two leopards were caught about nine months ago. As there may be more leopards in the area, officials have kept the cage again in the same area.

The Leopard population has come down compared to five years ago. Leopards are attracted to the dogs for prey, that congregate near uncovered garbage dumps in the city.