A leopard that had stalked livestock in south India for more than a month was caught in a trap set up by the forest department on early Wednesday morning (December 5).

The leopard was trapped in a cage near Karadimadai village, in Tamil Nadu state.The villagers of nearby Karadimadai, Molapalayam and Madukarai had been living in fear of the big cat which had reportedly killed several goats across the area in the last 40 days, according to official reports.

Predicting the animal's next target, the forest personnel set up the cage at Karadimadai to trap it. Now their plan is to shift the leopard to Thengumarahada forest far to the north of the affected area.

However, residents of Karadimadai and Molapayam are still in fear as they claim the trapped leopard’s family is living in the area.

A leopard, on the prowl for over a month creating a nightmare among residents of villages surrounding Madukarai forest range, fell into a trap set up by the forest department on Wednesday early morning around 4 am (12/05/18).The leopard was trapped in a cage kept near Karadimadai village, they said.The villagers of Karadimadai, Molapalayam and Madukarai had been living in fear following the straying of the big cat which had reportedly killed several goats of them in the last 40 days, the officials said.Based on complaints, the forest personnel kept the cage at Karadimadai to trap the animal.Officials said they would to shift the leopard to Thengumarahada forest near Sathyamangalam. However, residents of Karadimadai and Molapayam are still in fear as they say the trapped leopard’s family is living in the area.