Leopard on prowl, residents asked to stay indoors

Chandigarh, April 1

The Forest Department will carry on with the search operation as fear of a leopard prowling in the southern sectors of the city continues with the authorities having no clue about the wild cat.

Officals of the department have asked the residents to stay indoors and remain alert.

Yesterday, the department received information that a leopard was sighted in the area. The police were also using drones to carry out the search operation.

On Monday, too, a leopard was spotted in Sector 5 residential area, following which it was rescued by forest and wildlife officials.

With people staying indoors during the 21-day nationwide lockdown to check the spread of Covid-19, wild animals, including endangered ones, have been spotted on the deserted streets at several places in the country over the past few days. Sambars have also been seen crossing roads in the northern sectors of Chandigarh in the recent days.

“We will continue with the search operation for a couple of days until we are very sure that there is no such wild beast roaming around in the city,” said Debendra Dalai, Chief Conservator of Forests, UT. — TNS