Leopard Sighted at Luxury Resort Near Ranthambore Sparks Panic

Sawai Madhopur. A sense of alarm gripped the Alanpur area of Sawai Madhopur late Wednesday night when a leopard was spotted inside a luxury resort situated near the Khatu Shyam temple. The incident, which occurred around 10:30 PM, prompted an immediate response from local forest department officials who arrived at the scene to secure the premises and ensure the safety of guests and staff. Some reports suggested that the animal may have been accompanied by a cub, adding to the urgency of the situation.

Upon arrival, the forest department team initiated a search operation with the intention of tranquilizing the wild cat to safely relocate it back into the wilderness. However, the leopard managed to evade capture by slipping through a window. Taking advantage of the darkness, the animal successfully retreated into the surrounding forest area before the team could complete their intervention. Following the escape, forest officials have intensified their surveillance and patrolling efforts in the vicinity to prevent further incidents.

This sighting is not an isolated event for the Alanpur region, which has seen recurring leopard activity in recent months. Just a month ago, a leopard caused significant panic in the same area after preying on two cows. That animal was eventually captured by forest authorities using a cage and subsequently released into the deeper parts of the Ranthambore forest. Similar incidents have been reported across the district, including sightings in the old city areas like Ramlila Maidan and Rajbagh Dungar Pada, as well as a separate incident in Todra village where a leopard entered a residential home.

Wildlife experts suggest that the increasing frequency of these encounters may be linked to territorial pressure within the Ranthambore reserve. As tiger populations grow, leopards are often pushed toward the forest fringes in search of safer territories and easier prey, such as stray dogs or livestock found near human settlements and resorts. The persistent movement of these predators near populated zones presents a growing challenge for the forest department, which is now tasked with balancing wildlife conservation with the safety of local residents and the tourism sector.