Leopardess, 4 cubs spotted in Mandi

In the Urla forest range of Jogindernagar forest division in Mandi, a leopardess and her four cubs were seen wandering near a road, creating a buzz on social media.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when a Forest Department team, led by Forest Range Officer Shivam Ratna, was on night patrol. The team encountered the leopardess family, as they moved from the forest towards the highway. Upon spotting the team, the leopardess and her cubs hesitated briefly due to bright lights, but continued on their path back into the forest.

The video, captured by Ratna and his team, has been widely circulated online, though some people have mistaken the location as Dalhousie in Chamba. Jogindernagar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kamal Bharti said such encounters were common during night patrols.

He advised peopel to stay alert and cautious. He added that such wildlife encounters were part of the region’s biodiversity.

According to the DFO, the leopardess, who had recently given birth to cubs, is expected to remain in the area for about three months. During this period, she will be highly protective and may exhibit an aggressive behaviour to safeguard her cubs. Consequently, locals are advised to avoid going into forest to prevent any potential conflicts.