Hyderabad: The animal seen near the Miyapur Metro Rail station in Hyderabad was not a leopard, but a jungle cat, according to forest officials.
After examining the animal’s footprints, known as pugmarks, the officials confirmed that it was not a leopard. Vijayanand Rao, the Divisional Forest Officer of Shamshabad, reassured the public that there was no need to worry. He explained that the pugmarks measured only 3.5 to 4 centimeters, while a leopard’s pugmark is at least 7 centimeters.
The jungle cat likely came from a nearby green belt area, which is close to the Metro station. The officials believe it returned to the forest after being briefly spotted. “There is no danger, and it’s unlikely that a leopard would come to this area in the future,” said Rao.
On Friday evening, two teams of 10 forest officials, along with the police, began searching the area after the animal was seen behind the Metro station in Miyapur, Kukatpally.
As a precaution, authorities warned people living nearby to stay alert. A short video of the animal walking on a pile of sand near some bushes was shared on social media. The forest officials explained that the animal appeared larger, like a leopard, because the person who filmed it zoomed in too closely.
