Udaipur, January 7, 2025 – A leopard on the loose in the Fatehsagar Lake area of Udaipur for the past 17 days has left residents in a state of fear and anxiety. The wild cat was once again caught on CCTV cameras on Monday night in the Parshuram Colony of Neemachmata-Devli region. The footage shows the leopard approaching a trap set by the forest department, entering the cage but managing to escape before it could close.

Residents Gripped by Fear

The movement of the leopard in this densely populated locality has caused widespread panic. With nightfall, people are confining themselves indoors, fearing an encounter with the elusive predator. Despite multiple attempts by the forest department to capture the animal, it has evaded capture so far.

Speaking to the media, local residents expressed concern over the safety of their families, especially children and elderly members. “We’ve been living in constant fear for over two weeks now. The leopard roams freely at night, and stepping out after dark feels extremely risky,” a resident said.

CCTV Footage Captures the Leopard’s Escape

According to the forest officials, two separate CCTV recordings from Monday night, at 8:46 PM and 10:49 PM, show the leopard’s activity near the trap. In the first clip, it can be seen roaming around the cage, while in the second, it attempts to enter the trap but exits before it could be caught.

“The leopard is quite clever and cautious. It entered the trap but managed to get out before the door could shut. We are closely monitoring its movements and will enhance our efforts to ensure its capture,” a senior forest department official said.

Ideal Habitat for the Leopard

Experts believe that the leopard has been frequenting the Neemachmata hills and forested areas, which serve as an ideal habitat due to their dense greenery and rocky terrain. This might explain why the animal continues to stay close to the locality despite human presence. Forest officials speculate that the leopard may have ventured into the residential area in search of food or water.

Forest Department’s Efforts Intensified

The forest department has ramped up its rescue operation by deploying additional personnel and setting up more traps in strategic locations. Authorities are also using thermal imaging cameras and motion sensors to track the leopard’s movement more effectively.

“Our team is working round the clock to capture the leopard safely. We urge residents to remain indoors after dark and report any sightings immediately to the nearest control room,” the official added.

Residents’ Safety Guidelines

In light of the ongoing leopard sightings, the forest department has issued safety guidelines for local residents:

1. Avoid going out after sunset, especially in isolated areas.
2. Keep all outdoor lights on to deter the leopard from approaching homes.
3. Ensure that pets and livestock are kept in secure enclosures.
4. Report sightings immediately to the forest department’s helpline.
5. Avoid disposing of food waste openly, as it may attract the animal.

Community on High Alert

The residents of Parshuram Colony and nearby areas remain on high alert, with several people avoiding unnecessary outings and outdoor activities. Local authorities, in coordination with the forest department, are working to mitigate the risk posed by the leopard.

“We hope the forest department captures the leopard soon. Until then, we have to remain cautious,” a worried resident said.