Leopard sighting sparks panic in Lucknow Cantonment

The presence of a leopard in Lucknow’s Cantonment area has created panic among residents.

A local resident captured a video of the leopard crossing the road early Sunday morning, which quickly went viral on social media. Teams from the Forest Department and the Cantonment Board rushed to the spot and began monitoring the area.

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The eyewitness said he noticed movement by the roadside early in the morning. As he stopped his car, the leopard suddenly appeared. Within seconds, it crossed the road and disappeared into the forest. He recorded the entire incident on his mobile phone.

Following the video’s circulation, a joint team of the Forest Department and the Cantonment Board launched a search operation and found leopard footprints in the area. Three employees have been deployed in eight-hour shifts, and night patrolling has been intensified.

The Forest Department has urged residents to avoid going out alone at night, keep pets safe, and immediately inform the control room if the leopard is spotted again.

DFO Lucknow, Shitanshu Pandey, confirmed: “Leopard footprints have been found near the Sugarcane Institute. Trap cameras have been installed, and three employees have been deployed in eight-hour shifts.”

This is not the first time a leopard has been sighted in Lucknow Cantt and nearby areas. Last year, leopard footprints were also found, leading to the installation of trap cameras. Experts believe the green corridor connecting the forest makes this zone a natural route for leopard movement.