A carcass of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) was found on Monday morning in South Delhi’s posh Sainik Farm area, triggering panic among the residents. Authorities and Delhi Police personnel rushed to the spot after the news spread. Officials of Delhi Government’s Forest Department have confirmed that the Nilgai was killed by a leopard. Following that, the Residents Welfare Association of Sainik Farm issued an advisory urging residents to be careful while stepping out and also advised keeping their pets inside.
“A carcass of Nilgai was found this morning at the end of Lane W-23. We immediately informed the forest authorities, who came and confirmed that it is a leopard kill. We request the residents of Lanes W-17, 19, 21, 23, 26 & 27 to please be careful while stepping out. Please keep your pets in and avoid going to Tilpat Valley for walks at any time. We are in constant touch with the Forest Department and will be updating as we go along,” WARWA Sainik Farm said.
Sushil Jain, from the NGO Bail a Tail in Sainik Farms, said it has been confirmed that the Nilgai was killed by a leopard. “We have seen the videos circulated by the RWAs, but a leopard was not sighted. A team has been deployed in the area, and we will monitor the situation at night,” Jain said.
Earlier this month, after three days of rigorous searches, the Delhi Police and Forest Department officials called off their hunt for a leopard that was spotted in the Sainik Farm area.
However, pugmarks believed to be a leopard’s were seen in the area where the forest department hunted for a big cat but did not find one.
The Asola Bhatti Wildlife sanctuary shares boundaries with densely populated settlements like Sangam Vihar, Chattarpur, Sainik Farms, Fatehpur Beri, and villages such as Mangar and Pali in Faridabad. One settlement, Sanjay Colony, is situated within the boundaries of the sanctuary.
Experts say the reason for their more frequent sightings is simply India’s growing urban habitations. For instance, Gurugram and Delhi have grown into the Aravallis.
Meanwhile, protected areas have become more crowded with big cats, although leopards have always been more urban and social than people think. A 2022 study by the forest department found eight leopards at the Asola Bhatti sanctuary.
