Black panther caught in Semenyih housing estate

SEMENYIH: Residents of a housing area here spotted a black panther prowling in their streets before wildlife officers managed to tranquilise and catch the animal.

A homeowner in Taman Pelangi here called the Fire and Rescue Department after the large feline was spotted in the front porch of their house on Friday (Sept 30) afternoon.

The animal was later tranquilised before it was caged and handed over to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said they initially received a distress call at 3.32pm on Friday.

"We were informed that a black panther was spotted roaming the neighbourhood and was seen in the front porch of their house.

"We immediately dispatched a fire engine, a utility vehicle and five firemen to the scene," he said on Friday.

He said they found the black panther still in the front porch of the house.

"Five policemen and 13 Perhilitan officers also arrived at the scene to assist.

"We sized up the situation and cleared the area before placing nets around the porch.

"Perhilitan personnel then tranquilised the animal.

"No one was injured in the incident," he said.