Belagavi Forest officials stepped up the operation to catch the leopard spotted within the city limits two weeks ago.

Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil has asked the 22 schools, which were furloughed on Monday, to continue classes online. “Until the situation is resolved, classes will continue online. Further instructions will be provided based on progress,” he said.

Meanwhile, 200 forest and police department personnel continued leopard capture operations Monday night. Police brought in 20 dogs and drones to locate the leopard. Forest department sources said elephants from Sakrebailu camp near Shivamogga will also be brought in to help staff.

Police have blocked all roads leading to the entrance to the golf course near the Belgaum Club and diverted vehicles from alternative routes to prevent people from entering areas where the animal capture operation is underway .

On Tuesday, stable infrared cameras capable of recognizing shapes using artificial intelligence were put into use.

Briefed on the developments, Forestry Minister Umesh Katti said: “The leopard will soon be captured. The forest service takes the necessary (measures). Shooters also accompany the officials deployed to trap the leopard.

A video of the leopard crossing the Club Road near the military zone, filmed by a bus driver, was widely shared on social media on Monday.

The leopard was first spotted on August 5 when it attacked two construction workers in Jadhav Nagar. While the Forest Department set up camera traps and cages to catch the animal, efforts were in vain. The department said earlier the leopard escaped into the golf course on August 8. As a precaution, schools were closed from August 8 to 17.