Why has a leopard been spotted in Jaipur's Vidyadhar Nagar?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Leopard sightings are increasing in Jaipur.
- Residents are advised to report sightings to authorities.
- Habitat loss is a critical issue driving wildlife closer to urban areas.
- Safety measures are being implemented by local authorities.
- Wildlife conservation strategies need urgent reevaluation.
Jaipur, Nov 26 (NationPress) A leopard has once again caused a stir in Jaipur, with the latest incident occurring in Vidyadhar Nagar.
The large feline reportedly made its way into Sector 10 late Tuesday night, where it killed a calf in the early morning hours.
Residents stumbled upon the carcass the next morning and promptly notified the Forest Department.
Locals recounted, "At around 2 a.m., dogs were barking incessantly. I went out to check, but everything appeared normal, so I returned to bed. It was only in the morning that we discovered the calf dead in the temple garden. The leopard had indeed killed the calf."
The report was quickly communicated to the relevant authorities.
Officials have initiated a search operation after finding fresh paw prints in the vicinity. This marks the second significant leopard sighting in the city in just six days.
On November 20, a leopard was seen in Jaipur's high-security Civil Lines area, passing by the home of former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot before entering the residence of Cabinet Minister Suresh Rawat.
It eventually made its way into a school and was tranquilized after several hours.
The rescue mission involved over 30 personnel, including senior officials, due to the densely populated nature of the area. The leopard was finally tranquilized inside a house on Lane No. 6 around 11 a.m., and teams were then observed preparing to transport it to Jhalana Reserve.
Vidyadhar Nagar has experienced multiple leopard sightings over the years.
In June, a leopard was spotted on rooftops in Sector 8.
In December of the previous year, another leopard entered a Central Government guest house and roamed through residential streets for nearly four hours before being rescued.
Leopard sightings have been reported from various areas in Jaipur in recent months, including Civil Lines, Vidyadhar Nagar, Durgapura, Gopalpura, Jaisinghpura, Jagatpura, Malviya Nagar Industrial Area, and Kho Nagorian.
Forest officials indicated that the frequent movement of leopards is associated with diminishing prey availability in nearby forests, compelling them to venture closer to human habitation.
This situation presents considerable challenges for both the Forest Department and local law enforcement.
Wildlife experts assert that the shrinking habitat and depletion of prey in forested regions have driven leopards towards human settlements.