New Delhi: The Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department has launched a leopard rescue operation in Jagatpur village, North Delhi, following multiple sightings of the animal in the past month. A cage was installed outside the village late Sunday evening after mounting concerns from residents about the safety of their lives and livestock.
Officials said the leopard—believed to be the same animal caught twice on camera in June—will be captured and translocated to a suitable forest habitat, possibly the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, which already houses 12 leopards.
Locals Raise Alarm After Repeated Sightings
The leopard was first captured on a camera trap installed by villagers on June 15 with the help of a wildlife enthusiast. It was spotted again on June 24, and more recently on July 2, when 65-year-old Mehfooz Ali saw the animal just 200 metres from his farm.
Ali, who was also part of the July 4 and July 8 meetings with officials, said, “This was our demand since the public meeting on July 8. We wanted the cage set up as soon as possible. Now we’re hoping the animal is captured before anyone gets hurt.”
Public Concern Triggers Official Response
A letter issued on July 11 by Delhi’s Chief Wildlife Warden authorized the capture and translocation operation. The order was based on a public meeting held on July 8, during which villagers voiced serious concerns about a potential leopard attack and formally requested the department to intervene.
The forest department cited Sections 11(a) and 39 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to justify the capture, adding that the operation must be conducted with “minimum trauma” to the animal and in compliance with standard baiting and trapping norms. A daily report on the operation is to be submitted until the leopard is safely rescued.
Past Incidents Fuel Current Fears
This is not the first time Jagatpur has seen a leopard incursion. In April 2024, a five-year-old leopard attacked eight villagers before being cornered and trapped inside a house. The animal was later rescued in a five-hour operation and moved to Asola Bhatti Sanctuary.
A senior forest official said, “We are taking every precaution this time. Once captured, a final decision will be made about whether the animal is fit for release in Asola or should be moved to a more suitable forested habitat.”
