BUDGAM, JULY 21 — A months-long wildlife operation in the Housing Colony area of Ompora, Budgam, has concluded successfully following the safe capture of three leopards, effectively restoring public safety in the locality. The Wildlife Department, working in close coordination with the District Administration Budgam and local police, secured the final two leopards during the intervening night of July 19 and 20. A third leopard had previously been captured on June 21 following sustained field surveillance.
The operations were initiated in May when the Department of Wildlife Protection established a temporary Man-Animal Conflict (MAC) Camp in response to frequent sightings in Ompora, a persistent hotspot for big cat movement. As public concern grew, the facility was upgraded to a 24×7 MAC Control Room, with teams stationed on-site for nearly three months to maintain continuous trapping arrangements and respond to local reports. Led by Range Officer Sajid Farooq and Block Officer Bashir Ahmad, the field team successfully contained the threat without harm to the animals or residents. Altaf Hussain, Wildlife Warden for the Wetlands Division Kashmir, commended the interdepartmental team and local authorities for their professionalism, highlighting the operation as a benchmark for humane and effective human-wildlife conflict management.