In a bizarre incident, a leopard strayed into the house of a local resident at Kanda village near Dharampur on Wednesday, staying for several hours without attacking anyone. The leopard first entered the ground floor through an open door and rested quietly for two hours, showing no aggression toward the inmates or a dog present in the house.
Forest Officials Respond
Alert villagers informed forest officials, prompting Range Forest Officer Dharampur Neelam Thakur to rush to the spot. She also called in a rescue team from the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Tutikandi, Shimla. Armed with a tranquilizer gun, a cage, and a veterinarian, the team attempted to tranquilize the animal. However, the leopard managed to escape after getting entangled in barbed wire, which left a visible injury on its right leg.
Unusual Behavior Puzzles Officials
Officials were puzzled by the animal's unusually quiet behavior. They suspect the leopard was hungry and had ventured into the village in search of food. After resting in a quiet corner on the ground floor, it moved to the first floor of a nearby under-construction house when the Shimla team arrived on the roof and tried to tranquilize it.
Anticipating that the leopard may return to the area, officials have directed villagers to stay alert and take necessary precautions. The incident highlights the increasing instances of wildlife straying into human habitats, likely due to habitat loss or food scarcity.
The forest department continues to monitor the situation and has advised residents to report any further sightings immediately. The leopard's injury may hinder its movement, raising concerns about its welfare and potential further encounters with humans.
