Ahmedabad: Panic gripped residents of Shela and Bopal on Monday after CCTV footage of a leopard roaming inside a residential society went viral on WhatsApp groups, prompting forest officials to launch an extensive search and install cages in the area.The leopard was first spotted around 1.05 am at Serendeep Mansions on VIP Road in Shela, which falls under AMC’s Ghuma ward. The society, surrounded by residential schemes, lies close to a temple. A road nearby, which sees little vehicular movement, attracts a large number of morning walkers every day.The sighting triggered widespread concern, with text alerts warning people against stepping out early in the morning. The first to see the big cat were siblings Purnendu and Vanshika, who were returning home after buying snacks during the FIFA Club World Cup final.“At first, we thought it was a nilgai because of its size. But as we got closer, we realised it was a leopard sitting on the road. We stopped the car immediately. It was only a few metres away, and we were terrified,” Vanshika said.She immediately called her father, Manoj Dhar, to inform him that there was a leopard near the society’s main gate. “I could not believe a leopard could be roaming in this area. But my daughter insisted she had clearly seen a leopard, and that a nilgai and a few stray dogs were nearby. I immediately alerted the society residents through the society’s WhatsApp group,” Manoj Dhar said. The alert assumed greater significance because several residents routinely take their pet dogs for walks late at night.Society office-bearer Gaurang Shah said residents began checking the premises soon after receiving the alert.“Initially, we searched the area ourselves. We later found pugmarks inside the society, which a wildlife expert confirmed belonged to a leopard. CCTV footage also captured the animal moving inside the premises until around 2.15am. It was seen climbing down the wall near the clubhouse before disappearing,” Shah said.Local authorities were alerted, after which the matter was brought to the notice of Ahmedabad mayor Hitesh Barot. Teams from the forest department, AMC and Kankaria zoo reached the spot within an hour.Multiple cages were placed in and around the neighbourhood as officials began scanning nearby areas. Residents also reported that two dogs had disappeared, one from the society and another from a nearby field. No bloodstains were found within the society, but the discovery of a chicken’s remains led officials to believe the leopard — which appeared to be an adult male, around nine years old — may have strayed into the locality looking for food.Around 11am on Monday, a gardener at the society claimed to have spotted the leopard perched on a tree. However, despite an intensive search, forest officials were unable to locate the animal or find fresh pugmarks.Deputy conservator of forests Meenal Jani said the department was treating the sighting seriously and would continue monitoring the area for at least a week.“Teams from the forest department and Kankaria zoo, veterinary experts, and officials from Daskroi, Sanand and Mandal forest ranges have been deployed. CCTV footage is being analysed and the surrounding residential areas are being scanned. If the leopard is found, it will be safely captured and relocated,” she said.Jani appealed to the residents not to panic, stressing that human beings are not the leopard’s natural prey.“However, residents should not send children alone to isolated areas, particularly during dawn and dusk. If anyone spots the leopard, they should immediately call the forest department’s helpline,” she said. Arjun Modhwadia, state forest minister, said that the rescue operation had begun. “Forest and zoo authorities are at the site. Thermal drones are also being used to locate the leopard. There is no need to panic,” he said.Forest officials said that male leopards can travel anywhere between 5km and 50km in a single night, and the animal had likely left the locality. Surveillance cameras, cages and field teams will remain deployed over the coming week to ensure public safety.
