In a dramatic overnight operation, a leopard that had strayed into a school and later a parking lot was safely captured by forest department teams in Tirupathur of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. The leopard was trapped in a car shed using rope nets and tranquillized early Saturday morning, officials reported.
The leopard was initially spotted by a parent who had arrived at the school to pick up his child. He saw the big cat roaming the school's campus, which is located near the collectorate, around 4 pm on Friday. The parent immediately alerted the authorities, prompting a swift response.
Taking to X, IAS Supriya Sahu, Addl Chief Secretary Environment Climate Change & Forests, Govt of Tamil Nadu said, "Foresters from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department successfully translocated a leopard in early hours of the morning today. The leopard had entered Tirupathur town causing panic.Three teams from the Department with Vets and experts tranquilised the leopard and safely released him in a forest area. Kudos to the team 👍 #TNForest #wildliferescue #leopard."
Police and forest department personnel quickly rushed to the school, ensuring the safe evacuation of all students. Despite the successful evacuation, five individuals experienced a terrifying eight-hour ordeal, locked in their cars as the leopard prowled around their vehicles, as reported by PTI. The animal climbed on top of one car and took shelter underneath another before moving towards a nearby shed.