One or More Leopards? After Ghuma, Fresh Sighting Spotted In Chandkheda
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The ongoing search along Ahmedabad's western and northern fringes took a stark turn today as wildlife officials investigate whether more than one leopard is currently navigating the city's suburban perimeters.
Initial tracking was focused on a single adult leopard caught on CCTV around 2:00 am in Ghuma's Sharandeep Society. However, distinct timing overlaps, fresh pug marks, and a concurrent sighting near the Chandkheda underpass have led ground teams to consider a multi-leopard scenario along the S.P. Ring Road corridor.
Timeline
02:00 AM : CCTV records adult male inside Sharandeep Society, Ghuma
02:15 AM: The same cat exits Ghuma premises after preying on poultry
02:30 AM : Separate sighting reported near S.P. Ring Road, Chandkheda (18 km away)
06:00 AM : Forest officials discover two distinct sets of pug marks near canal routes
Watch the video:
The Two-Cat Hypothesis: Why Officials Aren't Ruling It Out
Covering 18 to 20 kilometres in a matter of minutes is nearly impossible even for a fast-moving feline. While leopards are capable of long nocturnal journeys, the tight timeline between the Ghuma and Chandkheda reports suggests two separate animals may have entered the urban fringe simultaneously.
- Dispersal Season: Sub-adult leopards frequently leave North Gujarat forest pockets around the same time of year, following riverbeds and canal networks in search of new territories.
- Prey Corridors: The vegetated banks of the Narmada canal act as a natural highway. Multiple cats can easily follow these green stretches into human habitations without crossing paths.
- Size Differences: Ground trackers analysing pug marks in Ghuma noted a larger adult male footprint, whereas local accounts in the northern outskirts described a leaner, faster sub-adult.
"If we are dealing with two individual cats, our trapping strategy has to adapt instantly," noted a senior forest official. "Placing cages in one cluster won't be enough. We have to divide our tactical teams across both the western Shela–Sanand belt and the northern Chandkheda corridor."
Also Read: Leopard Sighting Triggers Panic in Ahmedabad’s Ghuma, Forest Teams Launch Search
Expanded Search Grid Across Two Zones
With the possibility of multiple big cats on the move, the Gujarat Forest Department, supported by thermal drone units and Kankaria Zoo teams, has split the search grid:
Sector | Target Area | Deployed Gear | Primary Focus |
Zone 1 (West) | Ghuma, Shela, Sanand border | 4 trap cages, bait, night vision drones | Tracking the adult male confirmed on CCTV |
Zone 2 (North) | Chandkheda, Vaishnodevi underpass | Combing teams, mobile cages | Verifying secondary pug marks along Narmada canal |
High Alert for Suburban Commuters and Residents
A multi-leopard scenario elevates safety precautions across a much wider area. Authorities have re-issued guidelines urging residents in Bopal, Ghuma, Shela, and Chandkheda to treat all open green plots with extreme caution:
- Group Movement: Do not walk alone along unlit roads or near canal slopes between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am.
- Secure Livestock & Pets: Poultry, stray dogs, and small pets are primary targets for young leopards adapting to urban fringes.
- Avoid Crowding Sightings: If a leopard is spotted, crowding or chasing the animal will split its escape routes, increasing the danger to surrounding neighborhoods.
Field teams are monitoring thermal camera feeds overnight to confirm whether one or both animals are still within city limits.
