Jan 17 2025
GANDHINAGAR: Things got wild at Gujarat’s Statue of Unity complex when a leopard decided to crash the herbivore party at the Sardar Patel Zoological Park. The big cat managed to take down one blackbuck, but in a tragic turn, seven others reportedly died of shock, forest officials shared on Saturday.
The leopard, a young one between two and three years old, snuck into the herbivore enclosure in the early hours of January 2. The park, located near the iconic Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, had to shut its gates temporarily but is back open now.
Forest officials are on full alert, trying to track down the sneaky feline. The leopard apparently bolted when guards approached, and now CCTV footage is being combed through to figure out where it’s hiding. “We’re working hard to safely capture it,” a forest officer explained.
Meanwhile, autopsies on the blackbucks confirmed that the deaths were a mix of the leopard’s attack and the sheer shock of it all. This incident has raised some serious eyebrows about security measures at the park, which houses various animals in open enclosures.
Authorities are now stepping up their game to prevent such wildlife run-ins. Extra monitoring and stronger barriers are reportedly in the works.
For those planning a visit, the park insists it’s still a safe spot to explore. “We’re making sure everything’s secure for visitors and animals alike,” assured a park official.
The Statue of Unity complex is a big draw for tourists, offering a mix of natural habitats and wildlife experiences. While this incident is rare and unfortunate, officials are determined to balance conservation efforts with visitor safety moving forward.
