Leopard from forest sneaks into Gujarat zoo, kills deer

RAJKOT: A leopard sneaked into the Rajkot’s sprawling Pradyuman Park Zoo on Sunday night and preyed on one of the deer kept in an enclosure.
The leopard has been spotted in one of the CCTV cameras and authorities suspect it is still inside the campus, located 7km from the city centre on Bhavnagar Road, close to Lal Pari lake.
As a precautionary measure the Pradyuman Park Zoo has been closed for visitors for now
Authorities got to know about the leopard on Monday morning when one of the cleaners noticed half-eaten body of a deer.On informing the curator, the staff members checked the leopard’s cage and found that the wild cats were locked inside. They concluded that a leopard might have sneaked inside and a trap has been set to cage it.
The zoo, which is spread on 137 acres of land in natural habitat, houses 400 wild and herbivorous animals and over 2,000 trees.
This is the first time that a wild animal has entered the zoo, which falls under the limits of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC). As a precautionary measure, the zoo has been closed for the visitors for now.
According to zoo officials, the leopard entered inside sometime between 9pm and 10pm on Sunday. It is suspected that it entered from the rear of the zoo by jumping the 12-foot-high wall. The road behind the zoo leads to Bhichri village.
Talking to TOI, zoo superintendent R K Hirpara said, “We have spotted the leopard in the CCTV camera. The injury mark on the dead deer’s neck confirmed that it was a leopard attack.”
Conservator of forest, Rajkot, Ashwin Parmar said, “We are keeping a close watch inside the zoo and eight cages have been set up to trap the leopard. We believe that it is hiding inside.” The forest department has set nearly eight cages.
The authorities suspect that the leopard may kill other animals inside and for that the staff is deputed for day and night security. The curators have been asked to remain present near the cage they have assigned.
According to sources, nearly 10,000 people visit the zoo on Sunday. RMC data show that 7.41 lakh people visited the zoo during 2018-19.
Officials said that a major scare was averted as the leopard entered after the zoo closed for visitors.