JELEBU: A male adult black panther weighing about 27kg was captured in Kampung Purun this morning, after a nearly three-week wait.
He was caught in a trap set up by the Negri Sembilan Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) around 7am.
State Perhilitan director Wan Mat Wan Harun said the department received a report on July 8 about the animal’s presence at a durian orchard.
He said the complainant suspected the black panther had preyed on chickens kept at the orchard.
“Perhilitan then set up a trap on Oct 27 to capture the animal. The adult male black panther is estimated to be between three and four years old,” he told reporters.
Wan Mat said veterinary officers found the animal to be in good health, with no serious injuries.
He said it would be released into a protected area under Perhilitan’s supervision.
Asked whether more black panthers could be roaming the area, Wan Mat said this was possible, as the captured animal was still young.
He added that the trap would remain operational.