Leopard scare in Ambala, rescued

Tribune News Service
Ambala, October 21

Panic gripped residents of Old Pratap Nagar in Ambala City after a nearly seven-year-old male leopard was spotted in the colony late last night.

However, the leopard did not cause injuries to anyone. The animal was rescued and released into Kalesar National Park, Yamunanagar.

The leopard was first noticed around 10 pm. After getting information, wildlife officials from Kalesar National Park reached the spot and conducted a rescue operation.

Suresh Dhiman, a resident of Old Pratap Nagar, said “We spotted the animal in the verandah of our house. The leopard entered the cowshed where a calf was also tied.”

The house owner managed to lock the door of the cowshed from outside. The family was worried about the calf. However, the leopard did not harm the calf and kept sitting on one side of the cowshed as it looked terrified. The family rang up cops, who further informed wildlife officials.

Led by range inspector Rajesh Kumar, wildlife officials reached here around midnight. A hole was made in the cowshed rooftop from where a dart was injected into the animal’s body. The tranquilised leopard was taken away around 1.15 am and released into the jungle during daytime. District Wildlife Officer Shiv Kumar said the animal was released into the national park after a check-up. It was healthy and appeared to be around seven years old.