Alipurduar, Feb. 10: A sub-adult male leopard was captured this afternoon at Dhamshibad village under the North Rydak Range of Buxa Tiger Reserve (East) and handed over to the forest staff.

Villagers started streaming to the place where the leopard was spotted around 12.30pm. The animal, which had apparently strayed out of the tea gardens adjacent to Dhamshibad village, was captured by Ratan Iswarary, Tejo Iswarary and Prasun Basumata.

The forest staff, who were informed about the matter by the villagers, reached the spot and took the leopard to the range office.

The animal, which was injured when the villagers tried to catch it, was examined by a veterinary doctor. Suvankar Sengupta, deputy field director of BTR (East), who also reached the office, said the leopard was fine and would be released into the forest tonight.