Leopard Rescued After Entering School in Ghaziabad, Holiday Declared

Panic spread across a neighbourhood in Ghaziabad on Wednesday morning after a leopard entered the premises of a private school, prompting an emergency response from police and forest authorities. The animal was safely rescued after a nearly three-hour operation.

The 75-kg adult leopard was first spotted around 7 am by a security guard inside the school campus. Upon noticing the wild animal, the school management immediately declared a holiday and alerted local police as well as the Forest Department.

Police teams quickly reached the scene and sealed off the campus. Barricades were set up to prevent crowds from gathering, and nearby residents were advised to stay indoors as a precaution.

Search Operation and Surveillance

During the initial search, officials were unable to locate the leopard within the campus premises. A drone was deployed to conduct aerial surveillance, but the animal remained untraceable for some time.

After extensive efforts, officials discovered that the leopard had entered a male washroom located in the rear section of the school building. To ensure safety and prevent the animal from escaping, authorities locked the washroom door from the outside.

Tranquilisation and Rescue

Forest officials first attempted to tranquilise the leopard by firing a dart through the washroom window. However, the initial attempt was unsuccessful. The rescue team then modified its strategy by drilling a small hole in the washroom wall to gain a clearer line of sight.

A tranquiliser dart was subsequently fired through the opening. Within a short period, the leopard was sedated. Once unconscious, forest personnel carefully transferred the animal into a secure cage.

The entire rescue operation lasted approximately three hours and was conducted under strict safety protocols.

Health Check and Relocation

According to officials, the leopard appeared healthy and showed no visible injuries. After undergoing a medical examination, the animal will be released into a forest area in Saharanpur.

Forest officer Isha Tiwari stated that the operation was carefully planned and executed. She confirmed that the leopard was tranquilised with caution and that all procedures were carried out in accordance with established wildlife safety guidelines.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over increasing human-wildlife encounters in urban areas near forest zones. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and immediately inform officials if wild animals are spotted in residential or public spaces.