Leopard spotted in Meerut: Soldiers called in and city put on lockdown after loose big cat mauls six on urban rampage in India
Officials closed schools and markets while they searched for the animal
![A leopard on the loose has caused panic in the city of Meerut](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2014/02/25/09/v2-leopard-inda-1v2.jpg)
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
![Head shot of Andrew Feinberg](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/andrew-feinberg.png)
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
A city in northern India was put on lockdown and soldiers called in after a large leopard was spotted on the rampage, injuring six and dashing a hospital.
The panic in Meerut, 60km (37 miles) from the capital Delhi, became so widespread that schools were shut down and the authorities said markets should remain closed.
On Sunday the animal was briefly trapped in an empty ward at a hospital, but it escaped before it could be fully tranquillised.
Today, police superintendent Abhiskek Singh said that first sighting led to the injury a police officer, and that since then five others have been mauled during efforts to corner the animal.
The leopard also wandered through a crowded market, setting off a minor stampede in which two other people were hurt, said Mr Singh.
“It's a fully grown male ... a big animal with enormous strength, which is what has panicked residents,” Singh said.
Extra wildlife rescue teams were called in to Meerut to investigate reports that the leopard may have entered the city from nearby woodland, and they were joined in their search by soldiers and volunteers armed with sticks.
![The leopard was trapped in an empty ward at a hospital, and residents called wildlife experts (AFP/Getty)](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2014/02/25/09/leopard-inda-2.jpg)
Singh said that wildlife officials remained on the alert into Tuesday afternoon, but with no sightings of the animal since Monday, schools reopened and things started to go “back to normal”.
![The leopard was able to escape by smashing through an iron grill, and remains on the loose (AFP/Getty)](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2014/02/25/09/leopard-inda-3.jpg)
Leopards are a protected species in India, though urban sightings have increased in recent years.
Additional reporting by AP
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments