Fear gripped residents of Sector 6 today after a leopard strayed into the residential area, heightening concerns over wildlife movement in human settlements along forest fringes.

While villages closer to Morni forest area are habitual of spotting leopards, it’s first such incident reported in a long time wherein a leopard was spotted inside sectors. Officials believed that the leopard might have come from the forest cover of the Chandimandir Cantonment area.

According to the Forest Department, information about the presence of the leopard was received around 1.30 pm. The animal later entered an under-construction building in Sector 6. Upon receiving the alert, teams from the Wildlife Department rushed to the spot and immediately fenced the premises to restrict the animal’s movement and ensure public safety. Senior Veterinary Surgeon Khasa was also informed about the incident.

During a search of the building, the forest officials spotted the leopard on the ground floor. Teams from the Divisional Wildlife Officer (DWLO), Panchkula, the IWL and other staff participated in the search operation.

However, the leopard escaped from the backyard, crossed the highway and retreated into the Chandimandir forest area.

A team has been deputed to monitor and track the leopard’s movement in the sector.

Eyewitnesses said as news of the leopard’s presence started circulating, local residents rushed indoors. Police personnel assisted forest teams in cordoning off the area, while residents were advised to remain indoors.

While the leopard didn’t harm anybody, dogs did try to harm him after which it made a failed attempt to jump the walls of two houses. Lastly, it escaped into an under-construction house where labourers were working on the first floor.

The DFO said the age of the animal was estimated to be two or three years.

The incident followed another leopard sighting reported a day earlier at Dabla village in the Shilyon area of Morni. Forest officials believe that shrinking forest cover may be pushing animals to venture closer to human settlements in search of food or territory.