Sikar: Panthers that once roamed Aravalli hills are now venturing into urban and populated areas. In less than a month, Sikar witnessed a second incident involving a panther.
On Tuesday morning, around 11 am, a panther was spotted in a field near Kudlu village. The information spread like wildfire, creating a mix of fascination and fear among the townspeople and nearby villagers. Before being captured by the forest department, the panther kept officials and staff on the run for nearly seven hours, leaving everyone anxious.
This marks the second sighting of a panther in Sikar within a month, leading to growing concern among locals. Large groups of people armed with sticks and iron rods gathered in an attempt to protect themselves and drive the panther away. Throughout the day, discussions about the incident dominated conversations, and videos and images of the panther attacking and injuring people circulated widely on social media.
Forest department officials believe the panther might have wandered into the area from the hilly regions of Shakambari or Udaipurwati.
Rescue operation
After receiving information about the panther, a rescue team from Jaipur arrived on the spot around 4.30 pm. Their task was challenging—not only did they need to protect people but also ensure the panther could be safely tranquilized in an open space.
The sight of people agitated the panther, causing it to run from one spot to another, evading capture. The rescue team chased it tirelessly until the exhausted panther climbed onto a peach tree. At 6.01 pm, Dr Ashok Singh Tanwar, a veterinary officer from Jaipur Zoo, successfully tranquilized the panther while it rested on the tree.
Two injured in incident
During the ordeal, the panther attacked two persons, injuring their faces and shoulders. They were rushed to the trauma unit at Kalyan Hospital, where doctors provided treatment, including stitches for their wounds.
