Leopard on the loose in Lucknow Cantonment; residents urged to stay vigilant

Following recent leopard encounters in Balrampur district's Kauwa and Kithaura villages, Lucknow is now on high alert after a leopard was spotted in the city's cantonment area. A viral video, captured by a passerby on Sunday morning, shows the big cat swiftly crossing a road before disappearing into nearby greenery.

A local resident described the encounter, saying, "I sensed movement on the roadside early in the morning, the leopard appeared and crossed the road, heading into the forest."

Upon investigation, officials discovered the leopard's footprints near the Sugarcane Institute. A joint team has been formed to monitor the area, with three employees working in eight-hour shifts and increased night patrols.

The Forest Department has urged residents to avoid travelling alone at night and to secure their pets indoors. If the leopard is spotted again, residents have been advised to immediately alert the control room.

UP Forest Department Contact: 0522-2209814, 0522-2206184, 1926 (toll-free)

This isn’t the first sighting in the area. Last year, similar incidents led to the installation of trap cameras after leopard footprints were found. Experts believe the green corridor connecting nearby forests provides a safe passage for the leopards. Authorities are on high alert as they continue to track the animal’s movements.

Earlier this month, another similar incident was captured on CCTV in the Para area of the city, where a leopard was seen climbing the boundary of a house in a residential colony. However, no further sightings were reported in that area. Now, with a new sighting reported in the Lucknow Cantonment, forest experts are still working to determine any links between these encounters.