Beware the Leopard: Gujarat’s ‘Watering Hole’ Daman on High Alert

Daman — The next time you plan a leisurely visit to Gujarat’s popular seaside escape—fondly dubbed the “watering hole” of the state—be extra cautious. Daman, usually known for its beaches, liquor shops and relaxed vibe, is currently gripped by fear after leopards were spotted roaming its densely populated areas for the second consecutive day, sending shockwaves through residents and tourists alike.

On Tuesday morning, panic peaked when a leopard reportedly entered a building in Daman’s busy market area and was seen climbing up to the third floor. The incident triggered chaos, with frightened residents locking themselves indoors and curious onlookers climbing nearby buildings to catch a glimpse of the big cat.

“This is a very serious situation. Leopards entering residential areas pose a direct threat to human life,” said Ward No. 9 councillor Simple Katela, urging people to remain alert and cooperate with authorities.

This was not an isolated incident. On Sunday night, between 8:30 and 9 pm, a leopard was first spotted crossing the main road near Jupiter Distillery. Nelson Satish Patel, who witnessed the incident from his car, said, “The leopard suddenly crossed the road in front of my vehicle. For a moment, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”

Hours later, between 1:00 and 1:30 am, another sighting was reported from Sangia Street in Ward No. 9. A young man identified as Uday Kir encountered the leopard while riding his bike. “It was standing right there on the street. As soon as my bike made a noise, it ran away,” he recalled.

As if that wasn’t alarming enough, reports also emerged of a leopard being seen near Dhobi Lake around 6 am. Three sightings in a single night across different locations have intensified fear across the Union Territory.

The Daman Forest Department swung into action immediately, seeking assistance from neighbouring forest divisions. Teams from the Chanvai range of the Valsad Forest Department, along with personnel from Navsari, were rushed to Daman to launch a special operation to safely capture the animal.

“We are monitoring CCTV footage closely. The leopard has been clearly captured strolling through urban areas,” a forest department official said. “Cages are being installed, and our priority is to ensure both public safety and the safe capture of the animal.”

Security cordons have been placed around sensitive areas, while the fire brigade and forest teams remain on high alert. Authorities have appealed to residents and visitors not to panic or spread rumours, and to avoid venturing out unnecessarily, especially at night.