Bhopal: Intensifying its search to trace the straying leopard, forest department on Monday placed two more cages in Shahpura forest areas. The search for the leopard is on for last three days, earlier, the department had placed two cages in the area to trap the big cat but in vain. The authorities, however, are of the opinion that the big cat might have returned to its natural habitat as no movement was spotted on Sunday.
The authorities have advised the visitors to be on alert and refrain from going deep into the forest on odd timings. CCF Dr SP Tripathi said, two more cages were placed in Shahpura forest area to trap the big cat. Since leopard movement was not spotted on Sunday, so the department is of view that it might have returned to its original habitat as the leopard doesn’t seem to be a frequent visitor to Shahpura forest, said Tripathi.
“We are making all precautions and putting more teams in final phase of tracing out the animal. We do not want to leave any chance on our part. But it is almost sure that leopard might have returned to its own area,” he claimed. Last November, a leopard was spotted near Raja Bhoj Airport parking area.
The big cat was spotted roaming near the airport and School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in Bhauri area. However, it escaped before a team was rushed to the spot. Earlier too bit cats were sighted in and around the city. Kaliasot dam, National Law academy, are some of the areas were stripped big cat were spotted in past.
