Hyderabad: Civet Cat on terrace, Leopard lounging on streets create panic

Two felines were spotted in Hyderabad on Thursday morning, sending shockwaves among residents. While a civet cat — initially thought to be a panther — was spotted at Fateh Darwaza of Golconda fort, a leopard was found resting beside a median on an underpass near Katedan in Rajendranagar.

The animal rescue team of the Nehru Zoological Park captured the black cat and clarified it was an Asian Palm Civet. The animal was shifted to the Park and its health is said to be stable. The civet cat was seen roaming on the terrace of houses in the locality.

Meanwhile, hunt is underway for the leopard, which fled the underpass after crowds swelled around it on NH-7 and entered a farmland near Budvel railway station. A rescue team, led by Dr MA Hakeem, deputy director (Vet), Nehru Zoological Park, has placed cameras and trap cages near the site.