LUCKNOW: In an unusual and alarming incident, a man in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district was found trapped inside a metal cage set up to capture a leopard that was terrorising villages in the Fakharpur area. The rescue operation lasted nearly two hours and involved both forest officials and local police.The incident occurred late on Thursday in Umri Dehalo village, where the forest department installed a heavy iron trap with a goat tied inside as bait. This precaution was taken after a leopard mauled and killed 55-year-old Shanti Devi on Wednesday evening, triggering panic among villagers. Since then, teams have been patrolling the area and advising residents to remain indoors after dusk.According to officials, the trapped man, identified as Pradeep, appeared to be heavily intoxicated when he approached the cage. In a reckless act, he reportedly walked inside the trap—possibly out of curiosity or disorientation. The moment he entered, the sensor-driven iron gate automatically slammed shut, locking him inside the cage meant for a wild predator.Startled and frightened, Pradeep began shouting for help and used his mobile phone to alert villagers. The village head, after receiving the call, immediately contacted the forest department and police.A joint team rushed to the spot and launched a careful extraction process. Officials had to ensure the gate mechanism did not injure the man during release, and they also had to remain alert in case the leopard was lurking nearby. After nearly two hours of effort, the team was able to unlock the mechanism and safely remove Pradeep from the cage.Divisional forest officer (DFO) Ram Singh Yadav said the man’s condition clearly indicated intoxication. “Whether it was curiosity or confusion, entering a leopard trap at night is extremely dangerous. These are peak hours for leopard movement, and anyone wandering in the area risks a fatal encounter,” he said.Pradeep was taken to the police station for questioning and later released with a stern warning. Officials said his actions not only endangered his own life but could have disrupted ongoing efforts to capture the big cat.Meanwhile, forest teams continue to monitor the region, and additional traps and night patrolling have been intensified to prevent further attacks. Villagers have been advised to stay vigilant and avoid stepping out alone after sunset.