Panic erupted in Rawa village, located in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun district, on Thursday after a startling encounter between a wild leopard and a car. The incident triggered a large-scale search and rescue operation by the forest department, which deployed ground teams and drone cameras to locate the elusive big cat.
Morning Drive Turns into Wild Encounter
The chain of events began in the morning when three villagers—Satendra Gurjar, Rajesh, and Vipin Kumar—were on their way to inspect their pea crops. Their journey took an unexpected turn when their vehicle collided with a leopard on a road near Rawa village. Shaken by the encounter, the men immediately alerted fellow villagers and contacted the forest department officials to report the dangerous situation.
Search Operation Launched as Leopard Vanishes
By the time forest officials arrived at the scene, the leopard had already fled the road. It was reportedly seen heading towards the nearby agricultural fields. Anxiety spread rapidly among residents when some reported sightings of the animal moving in the general direction of the village. The leopard was later observed hiding in the bushes and fields surrounding the area, making the task of capture extremely difficult.
The forest department teams sprang into action, conducting an intensive search operation throughout the area. However, despite their efforts, the leopard managed to evade capture. DFO Pradeep Kumar stated that the search efforts are ongoing. He added that the leopard likely strayed into the area from the forests of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the issue of human-wildlife conflict in regions bordering forested areas.
Community on Edge as Hunt Continues
The incident has left the community of Rawa village on high alert. The presence of a large predator so close to human habitation is a serious cause for concern. The forest department's use of drone technology underscores the challenging terrain and the urgency of the situation. Authorities are urging villagers to remain cautious and report any further sightings immediately as operations to safely track and capture the animal continue.
