Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A leopard was spotted in a residential area in Devguradia, Indore, on Thursday evening. Locals have shared the visuals, which show the black cat running and hopping over the balconies of houses.
It then jumped off the first-floor balcony and took the road as the residents screamed in fear. Panicked, residents rushed out of the house and informed the police.
According to information, a leopard was spotted wandering at the terrace of BJP leader Sunil Purohit. The leopard is similar in terms of size to the one that is often sighted in Ralamandal sanctuary.
The Forest Department was informed, and a rescue team was on its way to catch the wild cat roaming in the residential area.
The Rescue
The team arrived on the spot at around 4 pm, quickly assessed the situation and began implementing the rescue plan.
The leopard was found hiding in a house named Nirmala Dheen. “We had to act quickly as the animal was hiding in a residential area. We could not afford to take any risks,” said Katara .The rescue team surrounded the area, carefully securing it with a large net.
The foresters knew that the key to a successful rescue was ensuring the safety of both the public and the animal. The team took immediate steps to sedate the leopard by administering a dosage of Zyllium, a tranquilizer that would allow them to safely capture the animal without causing it distress.
“Once we had the animal sedated, we were able to approach it safely,” Katara explained. “We had to be cautious not to startle it. It’s crucial that we avoid any aggression or injury to the animal during such operations.” After the sedative took effect, the team placed the leopard into a secure cage. Within two hours, the rescue was over.
The team transported the animal to Ralamandal, where it was slated to undergo a full medical examination. “We are relieved that the operation was successful without any harm to the leopard or the people in the area,” said Katara. “The priority was to ensure public safety and the welfare of the animal. Our team worked in close coordination to make sure everything went smoothly.” The rescued leopard is now under observation and its health will be monitored closely. Initial observations revealed the leopard was a male, about two years old, as per Katara.
"After the effect of the tranquilizer wears off, we will release the leopard in his natural habitat," he said. Katara also emphasized that the forest department was taking proactive measures to prevent such incidents in future as the urban sprawl encroached upon wildlife habitats. “Our team has successfully rescued several wild animals in similar situations, but this incident highlights the growing need for better wildlife management as human settlements expand,” Katara remarked.
