Leopard Scare in Panchkula: Big Cat Roams Residential Area

Residents of Panchkula's Sector 6 experienced fear on Saturday afternoon when a leopard was spotted inside a residential property. CCTV footage showed the animal roaming the courtyard before it scaled a boundary wall. Wildlife officials and police cordoned off the area, urging residents to stay indoors.

The leopard eventually retreated into nearby wild areas after several hours. This event echoes a similar incident in the Morni Hills a few nights prior, where a leopard entered a home's courtyard in Dabla village, targeting a pet dog. Alerts from the dog and panicked shouts from residents caused the animal to flee back into the forest.

Wildlife authorities attribute these incursions to leopards seeking prey like dogs and calves, exacerbated by dense fog during this season which disorients the animals. Panchkula, home to Bir Shikargah and Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuaries, has seen a roughly one-third increase in its leopard population, estimated now at around 180. The forest department assures swift action to manage these conflicts and ensure safety.