by Ms. Suranga Date

After a gap of six years, a leopard (perhaps a family of them) has been sighted on campus. Just before the Convocation on July 11, 1998, a full-grown leopard darted in front of the car in which Prof. Sahasrabudhe was travelling. Location - near the Guest House, also near the Director's residence. Time - 1:00 AM. Students in Hostel 3 also claim to have noticed the aftermath of an animal having picked up a dog as its meal.

Uday N. Gaitonde, reporting in the IIT Bombay Message Board

Dark clouds fogging the top of the IIT Hill, winds howling, some of the older palm trees on campus, bending in the face of the wind, water gushing around in torrents, in the various ditches dug by Estate office in a highly creative manner; scooters and cars revving through the water logged areas on the road near Hostel 10, much to the unrestrained delight of school children returning home, feet splashing in the puddles; the original inhabitants of the campus, The Cows, hanging around in groups, in the Institute corridor-- they choose their places well.... the arch (Dnyanam, Paramam, Dhyeyam), foyer of LT, hanging around ever so cool, looking longingly at the Central library from the corridor, casting (sniff,sniff) disdainful looks at those Dogs, who did they think they were, barking like that,and staring sullenly from department entrances.......

Its tiffin time, and there is a great scrape of unmatched Hawaii chappals towards the hostels; The rain has let up a bit, and it is not unusual to see freshers puffing back from their maiden venture to Y-p to buy, brooms, buckets, taking a break to watch the advanced swimmers doing their stuff at the pool, resting their tired limbs..("Aaj tak life me mai itna chala nahi... khana kitne baje ? Chaalo yaar, 8:30 ko jayenge")....motor cycles vroom around heading back to the hostels, not less than 3 guys per vehicle, their headlights reflecting off the wet roads, burping across the speed breakers; and you see some freshie junta clustered around a notice board near Convo.

What's the buzz here ? No ... this is not about ragging. Its about a leopard. Yes, you heard it right. Just what we always wanted - a leopard ! Besides the cream of the country's young folks, IIT now attracts leopards, thanks to the still verdant campus, a storybook lake, and unrestrained deforestation and civil construction northwest of Powai, that has denied a natural habitat to this master of speed .

IIT Security recently put an all points Circular on Campus,and we thought you would enjoy reading that :

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INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,BOMBAY

SECURITY SECTION

No. SO/F-25/98 16th July,1998

C I R C U L A R

To: All Campus residents.

SIGHTING OF LEOPARD IN THE CAMPUS

Residents of the campus may recall previous Circulars issued on the subject cited above. Leopard / leopardess were seen recently at various places in the campus during the last few days. All out efforts are being made to ensure that leopard is trapped.

However, from past experience, it is seen that though a trap was placed for 3 weeks at various places in the campus, the leopard was not attracted to the cage since a lot of stray dogs are available on the campus.

For the purpose of precautionary measures, campus residents are requested to observe the following.

1. To shout loudly for help on sighting leopard.
2. Not to provoke the animal by stone throwing or attempting to hit it with anything.
3. Not to take photograph, nor should the animal be followed or make provocative gestures.
4. If the cubs are sighted,do not indulge in any provocation what-so-ever, as the leopard/leopardess accompanying the cubs can be highly dangerous.
5. Not to allow samll children unaccompained by adults to move around during night for according to the newspaper,few minor children were killed by leopard when they were alone or sleeping outside.
6. Not to sleep outside, and doors & windows should be secured.
7. Lonely and dark stretches of roads should be avoided at night.
8. When dogs bark or run frantically at night, it may be taken as warning of leopard's presence nearby.
9. Leopard is afraid of lights and cracker bursts. Hence it is advisable to carry a torch and flick it around while moving at night.
10. Do not rear livestock such as cows, goat and fowls, as they attract leopard.
11. In case of a pet dog, it should be kept indoors at night.

The Institute has also approached the authorities concerned to remove / scare away the leopards. This section will be bursting crackers during nights. Hence do not panic on hearing sounds of crackers.