Nagpur: Panic prevailed in Mahagenco's residential colony after employees and passers-by spotted a leopard perched on the compound wall of the Koradi Thermal Power Station (KTPS) colony opposite the power plant. The fully-grown leopard remained unfazed by movement of vehicles around it.
The onlookers recorded footage that was later circulated widely on social media. Colony residents asserted the leopard's presence in the vicinity for the past month. A leopard was previously sighted on November 13. They suspect the creature might be sheltering in the thick undergrowth within the colony.
Although no untoward incidents occurred thus far, potential encounters with employees returning from night shifts remain possible. "The forest department should promptly capture the animal," they urged.
Bharat Singh Hada, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Nagpur, said, "We acknowledge the leopard's presence and shall install traps to capture it. Previously, two leopards were rescued from the power plant premises and released back into their natural habitat."
The residents of the expansive colony have stopped evening outings and morning walks. "The convenience stores within the colony are experiencing reduced business as residents avoid evening purchases," a shopkeeper remarked.
The colony was abuzz with speculations over the leopard's origin. "The leopard likely either crossed the highway to enter the colony or arrived from Gorewada forest through Bokara, where leopards are known to inhabit. The Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary could also be a possible origin," a resident said.
Experts caution about the possibility of multiple leopards. A sustainable solution must be implemented, considering captured leopards typically return to their established territories.
# Hit by train, Bhandara tigress succumbs
Ten days after a tigress that was critically injured in a train hit on South East Central Railway (SECR) tracks between Tumsar-Tirodi, the big cat succumbed to injuries on Sunday (November 24). The tigress was rescued on November 15, after a seven-hour delay, and shifted to Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur. The animal sustained critical injuries to its head and hind legs, and one-third of the tigress's tail was severed. "The wildlife veterinarians tried their best to save the tigress, but it reported liver and kidney damage and also suffered from a fracture on the thigh," said Gorewada director Shatanik Bhagwat.