A rare and thrilling wildlife moment unfolded Monday evening in Odisha’s Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary when two leopards appeared near a busy forest road, turning an ordinary drive into an unforgettable encounter.
According to eyewitnesses, a group travelling in a four-wheeler from Sunabeda towards Jamgaon suddenly spotted the pair of leopards close to the Sunabeda–Jamgaon road. One of the big cats lingered near the roadside long enough for the travellers to record clear footage on a mobile phone. The second leopard, taking advantage of the fading light, quickly melted back into the dense forest, denying the group a sharper second shot.
The startled occupants of the vehicle stopped briefly, watched in awe, and then carefully continued their journey. The sighting has since become the talk of the local area and has generated excitement among wildlife enthusiasts across the region.
Sunabeda Sanctuary has long been known to harbour leopards. Recent camera-trap surveys have already confirmed a healthy presence of these elusive cats. However, the simultaneous appearance of two individuals right beside a public road remains an uncommon and memorable event.
Forest officials are expected to increase vigilance in the vicinity. Authorities and conservationists are also reminding tourists and local residents to exercise extra caution while travelling through forest roads, especially during dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
The Monday evening encounter serves as a vivid reminder of the rich biodiversity that still thrives in Odisha’s protected forests—and of the need for continued coexistence between people and the wild.
