Leopard cub rescued from Guwahati; forest officials suspect more in the area

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 1, 2025

An eight-month-old leopard cub was rescued late Wednesday night after it wandered into the courtyard of a residence at Swahid Dilip Hujuri Path under the Fatasil Ambari police station in Guwahati. The unexpected encounter alarmed residents and triggered concerns about growing wildlife movement into densely populated areas bordering forests.

The family spotted the cub around 10 p.m., quietly pacing in their yard. Shocked, they raised an alarm, drawing neighbours out of their homes. Locals quickly contacted the Forest Department, which dispatched a team that arrived swiftly and captured the cub safely without incident.

The animal was transferred to the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, where veterinarians confirmed that it was in good health and showed no injuries or signs of distress.

Deputy Ranger Homen Pagu, part of the rescue team, said the cub most likely strayed from Gotanagar Reserve Forest, which borders Adinggiri and Madhavdev Nagar—areas experiencing rapid urban growth. “Encounters like this are becoming more common as human settlements expand closer to forest edges,” Pagu noted.

Forest officials suspect there may be more cubs—or even the mother leopard—in the vicinity. Residents have been urged to remain alert and to immediately report any further sightings to authorities.

The incident highlights the increasing overlap between urban areas and wildlife habitats, raising the stakes for both human safety and animal conservation in Assam’s growing cities.