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Leopard Spotted in Jaipur: Shastri Nagar Panic Amid Urban Wildlife Crisis

A leopard was spotted roaming through Jaipur's Shastri Nagar neighborhood, causing widespread panic among residents. CCTV footage showed the big cat crossing roads and walking on rooftops in the densely populated area. Forest Department teams launched an extensive search operation that lasted over five hours but couldn't locate the leopard. Officials believe the animal likely returned to the Nahargarh forest range by morning, marking another instance of urban wildlife encounters in the Pink City.

Key Points: Leopard Spotted in Jaipur's Shastri Nagar Residential Area

  • Leopard captured on CCTV crossing roads and walking on rooftops in Kalyan Colony
  • Forest Department conducted 5-hour search operation but couldn't locate the animal
  • Big cat likely entered from Nahargarh forest range due to declining prey availability
  • This marks second leopard sighting in Jaipur within a week after Civil Lines incident
2 min read

Leopard spotted in Jaipur's Shastri Nagar

CCTV captures leopard roaming Jaipur's Shastri Nagar, triggering panic as Forest Department searches for big cat that entered from Nahargarh forest range.

"There is an atmosphere of fear and anxiety across the area after the leopard's movement - Residents"

Jaipur, Nov 27

A day after a leopard was spotted in Jaipur's Vidhyadhar Nagar, a big cat was seen in the residential area of the Pink City on Thursday, triggering panic.

CCTV cameras captured the leopard roaming near Sikar House in Shastri Nagar, where it was seen crossing a road in Kalyan Colony and walking on the rooftop of a house.

Acting on CCTV footage, Forest Department teams launched a search operation around a plot in C-Block, Sikar House, but were unable to trace the leopard.

Officials said the search continued for over five hours.

Residents said, "There is an atmosphere of fear and anxiety across the area after the leopard's movement."

According to Forest Department officials, the leopard may have wandered into the populated area from the Nahargarh forest range and possibly returned to the forest by early morning.

On November 20, another leopard had entered the VVIP Civil Lines area, which houses the residences of the Governor, Chief Minister and several ministers.

Residents said several CCTV cameras along the Sikar House main road and Kalyan Colony captured the leopard's movement.

Around 6 a.m., the continuous barking of dogs alerted locals. When some stepped outside to check, they could not see anything in the dark. Later, CCTV footage revealed the leopard moving across rooftops and streets. It later entered a school and was tranquilised after several hours.

The leopard was finally tranquillised inside a house in Lane No. 6 at around 11 a.m., after which the teams were seen busy preparing to transport it to Jhalana Reserve.

Leopard sightings have been reported from several parts of Jaipur in recent months, including Civil Lines, Vidyadhar Nagar, Durgapura, Gopalpura, Jaisinghpura, Jagatpura, Malviya Nagar Industrial Area and Kho Nagorian.

Forest officials said the frequent movement is linked to declining prey availability in nearby forest areas, pushing leopards closer to settled human zones.

Wildlife experts believe that shrinking habitat and scarcity of prey in forested regions have pushed leopards closer to human settlements.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The poor animal is just trying to survive. We keep encroaching on their habitat and then act surprised when they come into our areas. We need better wildlife corridors and conservation efforts.
A
Arjun K
Forest department did good work by tranquilizing and relocating it safely. But this is becoming too frequent in Jaipur. Need permanent solution yaar.
S
Sarah B
I appreciate that the authorities handled the situation without harming the leopard. Wildlife conservation is important, but public safety must be the priority. More awareness needed about what to do during such encounters.
V
Vikram M
This is the third leopard sighting this month! The authorities need to address the root cause - declining prey in Nahargarh forest. Otherwise, this will keep happening.
M
Michael C
While I understand the concern for public safety, I must respectfully point out that the forest department's response time of 5+ hours is concerning. In such situations, every minute counts for both human and animal safety.

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