Leopard pugmarks, blood stains at Sirmaur school trigger concern over human-wildlife conflic

himachaleditor October 13, 2026 2 minutes read

Nahan, October 13

Leopard-like pugmarks found on the premises of a government school in Sirmaur district, along with blood stains on the outer walls of its upper-floor verandah inside complex, have raised concern among villagers over the possible movement of a big cat near human habitation.

The marks were discovered in the Secondary School at Bagh Habra, under Bhajoun Gram Panchayat in Kamaru tehsil, reopened after Sunday break on Monday.

Deep pugmarks were noticed on the ground floor, while blood stains were found on the outer walls of the upper-floor verandah. The discovery alarmed school staff and children, prompting staff members to clean the blood-stained walls.

Principal of the School Mr Chandra Prakash confirmed the presence of leopard-like pugmarks on the campus and blood stains on the verandah walls.

There is speculation that a leopard might have carried prey onto the premises or that an animal escaping a predator might have struck or rubbed against the wall. However, neither the presence of a leopard nor the circumstances behind the blood stains have been independently established.

The incident has renewed concern over the possible movement of leopards around villages and other inhabited areas in Himachal Pradesh.

Wildlife authorities need to verify such evidence through field inspections and, where necessary, camera-trap monitoring before drawing conclusions about animal movement or predatory behaviour.

Also Read Leopard paw severed in Nahan: Two arrested under Wildlife Protection Act

It is not first time when leopard drove away along prey in human habitation but in many occasions Leopard or Snow Leopard have entered inside the cowshed chasing or hunting the prey.