A possible leopard sighting has been reported near Moti Devti village in Sanand taluka, Ahmedabad, after villagers noticed what they believed were leopard footprints on a road. The forest department has started an investigation and placed a cage in the area to capture the animal.
Leopard movement has been reported in Sanand and surrounding areas for the past few years. Earlier, sightings were reported around Shela and Vaishnodevi, while the animal was also suspected to have been present at other locations.
According to villagers, leopard footprints were found near bushes and a brick kiln on the outskirts of Moti Devti. There were also claims that dogs had been hunted in the area. However, forest officials said the available evidence did not conclusively establish recent dog killings, and photographs circulating in connection with the incident were reportedly a day or two old.
RFO Hareshbhai Desai said the presence of a leopard in the Moti Devti area was possible, but the animal had not yet been located. The forest department has identified a possible movement route and installed a new cage, while an earlier cage remains in place.
Officials had earlier used drones to survey the area and planned another survey to look for footprints and other signs to determine the leopard’s movement pattern. Desai said the animal was difficult to track because the area is urban, with constant traffic and construction, making its movement less predictable than in a forest. He added that in search of food and water, a leopard can travel around 40-60 km in a day.