Hyderabad: A wild animal resembling a leopard was spotted near the Miyapur Metro Rail station on Friday, raising alarm among residents. However, forest authorities quickly assessed the situation and determined that the creature was significantly smaller than a leopard. The incident gained attention when a short video of the animal wandering on a sandy patch near some bushes circulated on social media.
The footage sparked speculation about the animal’s identity, leading to heightened concern among the resident. However, Vijayanand Rao, the Divisional Forest Officer of Shamshabad, addressed the public’s worries, stating, “The pugmarks are only 3.5 to 4 centimeters in size, while a leopard’s pugmarks measure at least seven centimeters.” He urged residents to remain calm, emphasising that the presence of a leopard in the area is highly unlikely.
“Viral Video Claims Wild Animal Sighting at Miyapur Metro Station, Hyderabad: Public Concern Grows” #Leopard #Miyapur #Hyderabad #Telangana #AtmaNirbhar pic.twitter.com/L5ZrWk5rZJ
— Syed iftikhar Ali (@Syedift84721583) October 19, 2024
‘Not a leopard but a jungle cat,’ claims forest officials
After a thorough investigation, forest officials confirmed that the animal was a jungle cat, dispelling initial fears of a leopard sighting. It is believed that the jungle cat originated from a nearby green belt and likely returned to its natural habitat shortly after the encounter.
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In response to reports of a potential leopard near the Kukatpally Metro station, two teams of forest officials, accompanied by local police, initiated a search operation late Friday. Meanwhile, residents in the area were alerted as a precautionary measure.
Leopard sighting near Hyderabad Airport
This incident comes on the heels of a leopard sighting earlier this year near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad. Following CCTV footage of the animal’s movements around the airport, the Forest Department launched an operation that included setting up trap cameras and cages, successfully capturing the leopard without causing any injuries..
