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Leopard Sighted in Zundal-Chandkheda: Is It the Fabled 'Shela'?
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 21 Jul 2026, 08:33 PM
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A leopard was spotted near Zundal-Chandkheda, sparking speculation among officials that it could be the elusive big cat known as 'Shela' that has been reported in the region.
A leopard was sighted on the outskirts of Zundal-Chandkheda, a small town in Gujarat, raising questions among local wildlife officials about its identity.
The animal was reportedly seen prowling near a cluster of trees close to the main road, a location that has previously been associated with sightings of a large cat referred to locally as "Shela."
Officials from the Gujarat Forest Department have expressed cautious optimism, noting that the leopard's size and markings match earlier descriptions of Shela. They are conducting a search for tracks and camera footage to confirm the identity.
If the animal is indeed Shela, it would be the first confirmed sighting in the area in several years, potentially indicating a shift in the leopard's range or a return of the species to its historic habitat.
The department has urged residents to report any further sightings and to avoid approaching the animal, emphasizing safety and conservation concerns.
The animal was reportedly seen prowling near a cluster of trees close to the main road, a location that has previously been associated with sightings of a large cat referred to locally as "Shela."
Officials from the Gujarat Forest Department have expressed cautious optimism, noting that the leopard's size and markings match earlier descriptions of Shela. They are conducting a search for tracks and camera footage to confirm the identity.
If the animal is indeed Shela, it would be the first confirmed sighting in the area in several years, potentially indicating a shift in the leopard's range or a return of the species to its historic habitat.
The department has urged residents to report any further sightings and to avoid approaching the animal, emphasizing safety and conservation concerns.