LAKHIMPUR KHERI, Feb. 24 -- In a first for the buffer zone of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, authorities here have started radio-collaring leopards captured from conflict areas before releasing them back into forests. As part of an experimental measure, a female leopard captured from the Dhaurahra range was fitted with a global positioning system and very high frequency (VHF-enabled) radio collar before being released into the forests of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday. While radio-collaring tigers and rhinos is routine monitoring, officials said this is the first time leopards have been radio-collared in the reserve's buffer zone. Officials said four leopards and a tiger have been captured from the buffer zone over the past fortnight, and more leopard movements have been reported. Kirti Chaudhary, deputy director, Dudhwa buffer zone, said, "We shifted captured leopards from Dudhwa forests in Kheri to KWS forests in Bahraich to discourage them from returning to human habitations, but we had no confirmed data on how they behave in a new habitat. With the radio-collar, we would be able to collect scientific data about released leopards' behaviour."...