As per information, the leopard was spotted near Kodapali village under Dharambandha police limits of the district in the morning.

On being informed by the villagers, Forest department officials visited the spot and took stock of the situation.

Notably, department officials on Saturday night captured a leopard that had reportedly killed two persons and injured anther in the area.

The killer leopard was spotted near a building at the village on Saturday night. A five-member team of the Forest department captured the animal by installing a cage, sources said.

The leopard was later s hifted to Nuapada Sadar Forest Range office. The animal is likely to be sent to Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) in Bhubaneswar, they said.

It may be noted here that a seven-year-old boy was killed in leopard attack at Godhasapara village on October 31. Similarly, the leopard killed a 45-year-old woman at Siliari Bahara village near Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary in Nuapada on Friday,

Earlier, a woman was also mauled to death by a leopard in Jalmadei village located close to the sanctuary in March this year, sources said.

The accused was arrested following a raid by the STF personnel at the Sripali Chhaka under M Rampur Police Station here. The raid was carried out following information regarding illegal trade by wildlife criminals.

During the operation, wildlife criminal Khageswar Putel (56) of Pujiladu village in the area was apprehended. During search, 3 leopard skins, 3 deer skins and other incriminating materials were recovered from his possession. Further investigation is underway.