Hyderabad: The movement of leopards near the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) campus in Balapur, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, has raised alarm among authorities and locals. Defence officials confirmed that two leopards were captured on CCTV roaming within the high-security premises, prompting an urgent response from both the forest department and law enforcement. Traps and camera surveillance have been deployed to capture the animals, though they remain untraced as of now.
Wildlife officials suspect the intrusion is due to habitat loss and human encroachment into forest areas. Residents, workers, and RCI staff are reportedly in a state of fear, with parents particularly concerned about children’s safety during school hours. Authorities have increased patrolling and advised the public to avoid unnecessary movement in the area. With concerns of potential attacks, drones are also being used to track the leopards. Environmental experts stress the need to revise urban planning to mitigate future human-wildlife conflict. Meanwhile, entry into the RCI campus has been temporarily restricted as officials continue their efforts to secure the premises.