Leopard Causes Panic in Jaipur’s Civil Lines; Tranquilized and Released by Forest Department

Jaipur: Panic gripped Jaipur’s Civil Lines area on Thursday morning when a leopard entered the posh VVIP locality, raising fears among residents and schoolchildren alike. The big cat was first spotted near Lane Number 6 and later reached the official bungalow of Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat, creating widespread alarm.

School Children and Residents in Shock

The leopard even entered the premises of Tiny Blossom Senior Secondary School, prompting authorities to lock students inside classrooms for safety. The wild animal was seen moving from one house to another by scaling walls, keeping the neighborhood on edge for several hours. Residents expressed their concern over the incursion, questioning how a leopard could reach such a heavily secured area.

Forest Department Intervenes

By 11 a.m., the Forest Department team successfully tranquilized the leopard at the same Lane Number 6 where it was first spotted. Following the operation, the animal was safely released into the Jhalana Reserve, a nearby forest area. The incident lasted nearly two hours and reignited fears about leopards entering densely populated areas of Jaipur.

Leopards in Urban Jaipur

The Forest Department noted that leopards have occasionally entered urban areas of Jaipur, including Gopalpura Mod (August 21), Durgapura, Jaisinghpura, Jagatpura, Kho-Nagorian, and Vidyadhar Nagar in recent months. Officials believe scarcity of prey in the forests near Jhalana is a key reason for such urban intrusions. The proximity of Jhalana Safari acts as a wildlife reserve, but when food is insufficient, leopards venture into residential zones, creating challenges for both police and forest authorities.