Kanpur: Panic spread among villagers after reports of a lion being spotted in the National Chambal Sanctuary area in Chakarnagar in Etawah district went viral. The viral video showed a wild animal sitting on a mound near village Kola. A sanctuary department team reached the spot after receiving the information, but the animal retreated into the jungle before it arrived.However, an initial investigation did not confirm it to be a lion.According to reports, on Thursday afternoon, a villager spotted a large wild animal on a mound in the sanctuary jungle near village Kola in Chakarnagar tehsil. As the news spread, people from surrounding villages rushed to the spot. Everyone watched the animal from a distance and recorded its video, creating an atmosphere of fear in the area.After villagers informed the Sanctuary department, a team reached the location, but the animal had already gone inside the jungle. The team watched the video recorded by the villagers and began an investigation in the surrounding area. As a precaution, the team was deployed at the site and continuous surveillance was maintained.Ranger Kotesh Tyagi said, “Reports of it being a lion have emerged. However, there is no official confirmation.” He said the pugmarks found at the spot were being reported as those of a leopard. He said the team was continuously conducting a search operation and keeping a watch on the situation.
