Long queue on NH 44 near Kuria for ‘show stopper’ leopard
   Date :10-Jul-2021

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A young leopard was spotted on National Highway 44 near Kurai Ghati four-lane on Friday afternoon.
People passing through the road were excited to see the cat sitting on road. After sitting on the road for a few minutes, the leopard climbed on the display board on roadside and then jumped towards jungle. People clicked the photographs and videos of leopard.
The videos uploaded by people on social media attracted several likes.
Forest officials informed that from Mohgaon to Khawasa, four-lane has been constructed keeping view the safety of wildlife. High walls have been constructed on both sides of road to avoid movement of animals on road. However, four-lane is open from a few spots where tigers, leopard and other wildlife enter on the road.
They said that last month too, a bison and tiger came on the four-lane from spot that was open. There are 14 underpasses constructed for safer movement of wildlife from Mohgaon to Kurai Ghati but even after that animals are moving on the highway.
Sources said that after people spotted the leopard sitting on road, queue of vehicles was witnessed. People recorded the videos and photos of leopard from close distance. Two videos of 45 seconds and 19 seconds went viral on social media displaying the position of leopard on National Highway and then moving towards jungle after climbing upon a warning board. About four days back, another video was made viral in which a tiger was playing on the same highway.
Field Director of Pench National Park Vikram Singh Parihar said, “I was informed about presence of a leopard on National Highway. The four-lane is open from several spots so animal pass through the area. After a few minutes, leopard moved back to jungle safely.”