Big cat on campus! Exams postponed after leopard enters Ghaziabad school — watch
Times of India
by ABHIJAY JHA AND AYANTIKA PALFebruary 25, 2026
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A full-grown leopard unexpectedly entered Greenfield School in Ghaziabad's Govindpuram area, prompting the postponement of exams and a swift response from authorities. The animal was first spotted on school CCTV footage at around 5:15 am, moving near parked cars and later entering the campus. By 7:50 am, the school had alerted the Forest Department, which analyzed the footage and confirmed the leopard's presence in the school field, likely near the amphitheatre area. A team from the Forest Department is on-site, using a trap and planning to employ a tranquillizing team and drone for tracking.
Local resident Gurucharan Singh noticed the animal around 5:13 am while reviewing CCTV footage outside his home and promptly informed neighbors. Suman Kaushik, the school principal, confirmed that exams were postponed as no immediate threats to students or staff were reported. The school remained closed until further notice. This incident follows previous leopard sightings in Govindpuram, including one at a military camp in September 2023 and another in Modinagar's Chudiyala village in May 2023.
The situation highlights the increasing frequency of leopard encounters in urban areas, raising concerns about human-wildlife coexistence. While leopards are typically forest-dwelling, habitat encroachment and urban expansion push them into populated regions, leading to such incidents. Conservationists emphasize the need for stricter wildlife management policies and public awareness to mitigate future conflicts.
This event underscores the growing challenge of balancing urban development with wildlife conservation. As human settlements expand, encounters like this remind us of the delicate ecological balance at risk. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including habitat preservation, community education, and efficient wildlife management strategies to protect both humans and animals.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/25/2026