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Ammon News - A leopard triggered a scare at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad on Sunday after it leapt over a fence and set off alarms. The sighting, which was far from the runway, was reported from Rasheedguda in Shamshabad.

The leopard is suspected to be residing on the airport premises and forest officials, who were notified of the incident by the airport, have now installed a cage in the airport vicinity to capture the big cat on the prowl.

Rangareddy forest officer Sudhakar Reddy told TOI, "The airport authorities have provided us with screenshots from CCTV footage confirming the presence of a leopard. It seems the leopard has established its habitat within the extensive greenery, spanning over 5,000 acres at RGIA. There is no confirmation regarding whether cubs accompanied it."

The DFO said, "It is likely that the leopard is preying on wild boars on the airport premises or stray dogs in the vicinity. A leopard was sighted in the area in 2021, but despite our efforts it remained elusive."Villagers in the vicinity have been alerted as well, he said. "We hope the cage would prove effective. Otherwise, we may use tranquilisers to sedate the leopard and relocate it," he said. Forest officials inspected the area in the morning and examined the pug marks. "The airport area resembles a miniature forest and serves as a habitat for spotted deer, wild boars and numerous preys for a leopard," a forest official remarked.

Times of India