Udaipur, October 24, 2024 - The leopard that escaped from its cage in Udaipur’s Sajjangarh Biological Park on October 22 is still missing, till publication of this story. Forest officials are continuing their search which has now extended to outside the Park. Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) SRV Murti has assigned the investigation to Deputy Conservator of Forests (DFO) Yaghvendra Singh.

Currently, a team of more than 80 forest department employees is involved in the search for the leopard.

Due to the fear of attacks on tourists, the Biological Park was closed yesterday, October 23. 

The leopard had been captured from the Lakhawali area, near Udaipur city, on October 22 around 7:00 pm. The animal was brought to the Biological Park where it was left in the cage overnight. In the morning, they found the cage empty. 

The Forest Department has come under scrutiny for its negligence. Questions are also being raised about whether the cage was broken. If not, how did the leopard escape? How far has the search operation progressed within the Park? Could the leopard have jumped over the Park’s walls?

However, the department told the media that after an animal is rescued, they do not disturb it for some time. It is natural for the animal to be stressed after being captured and hence, this should not be considered negligence. According to them, this is part of the routine procedure to leave the animal in its cage for some time.

Since September, leopard activity has increased in areas near Udaipur, such as Gogunda-Jhadol and nearby localities. A man-eater leopard has claimed several lives and an order to kill it was issued. One leopard was killed, though it is unclear if it was the man-eater. 

Attempts to contact DFO DK Tiwari and Ganesh Gothwal for comment were unsuccessful. Tiwari did not answer multiple calls by UdaipurTimes and Gothwal also did not respond.