Udaipur’s biggest heritage site, City Palace, witnessed a new and unwelcome visitor on Sunday.  The Roar of a Panther and subsequent CCTV footage confirmed the presence of the Wild Cat in the Palace premises.  Pug marks in the area also confirmed the presence of the Panther and Forest Department was informed.

Authorities evacuated tourists and employees from the City Palace premises and Darbar Hall to avoid any untoward incidence or loss of life.  Officials of the Forest Department have rushed to the location and the hunt for the wild animal is on.  Capture and tranquilising efforts are on.

Security at the historic Fateh Prakash Palace and Hotel Shivniwas has been increased and guests are under security cover while the search is on.  Guests entering into and exiting from the hotel are being transported in covered vehicles.  Media and outsiders have been restricted from entering the premises.

As per reports, the animal entered the City Palace premises from the main gate at the Picchola end (forest end) and was seen inside Darbar Hall.  With the area being vast, capture is becoming cumbersome.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Shaitan Singh Dewda and his team led by shooter Satnam Singh are in the premises.  A cage has also been taken into the premises.  The officials have confirmed the presence of the animal and plan to tranquilize it and shift it to biological park at Sajjangarh.  There is a large gathering of people near the gate opposite Gulab Bagh and tourist movement has ceased in the area.

Reports further confirm that the gate from where the Panther entered, is adjacent to the Machla Magra forest, where the Panther has been seen earlier as well.  This is the first time that a wild cat has entered the Dudh Talai region, which is a tourist spot.  Forest officials are aware of the movement of the Panther in this area.