West Bandung –
The joint team tasked with searching for and capturing the leopard that escaped from the Lembang Park & Zoo tourist attraction in West Bandung Regency (KBB) has not yet achieved significant results.
It has been nearly a week since the 3-year-old leopard, which was evacuated from a former village office in Kuningan Regency, escaped from its quarantine enclosure. Various efforts have been made, but the Panthera Pardus is still at large.
The head of the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) suspects that the leopard has already left the Lembang Park & Zoo area and is heading towards the forest area of Mount Tangkuban Parahu.
“It is likely (that it has left the Lembang Park & Zoo area). If we measure the distance between the location and the nearest forest area, it is 800 meters,” he said on Wednesday (3/9/2025).
The indication that the leopard left the Lembang Park & Zoo area and headed towards the Tangkuban Parahu forest is based on its last known tracks. However, the authorities cannot immediately confirm this suspicion.
“The indication that it left the Lembang Park & Zoo area heading towards Tangkuban Parahu is visible from its last tracks, because that area (Tangkuban Parahu forest) is also its habitat. We are working with leopard observers, and it is also said that (Tangkuban Parahu forest) is indeed its habitat,” he said.
The leopard has the instinct and natural tendency to avoid humans and crowds. The indications of its paw prints also align with predictions of the most likely direction the carnivore would take.
“That’s why we predict which direction its movement might be safe and comfortable. And its instinct is to find a place that is safe and comfortable for it. But perhaps our prediction is also wrong; of course, we will later report on the developments,” he stated.
“Every day we use a thermal drone, so we continue to sweep the area towards the Tangkuban Parahu forest using that. We have also brought in a thermal drone from Ujung Kulon National Park. This one has larger specifications,” he added.
He also mentioned that so far there is no indication that the leopard is moving towards residential areas. Nevertheless, he asked the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of the leopard’s movement.
“Based on our observation and sweeping, it is not heading in that direction (residential areas) because the last tracks point towards there (the nearby forest in the direction of Tangkuban Parahu). We will continue to provide information to the public, including a complaint phone number for when there are reports,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations officer of Lembang Park & Zoo stated that the search area for the leopard has been expanded. It is not only within the perimeter but has started to extend outside Lembang Park & Zoo.
“Regarding the search, yes (it has been expanded), so we can determine if the perimeter is widening or not. We hope so (that it is still within Lembang Park & Zoo),” he said.
Seven days have passed, and the carnivore has not touched any of the bait animals, such as sheep and chickens. However, there have also been no reports of the animal disturbing residents’ livestock.
“Until now, there has been no information about residents’ livestock being disturbed, and the bait animals are still intact. This is already the seventh day; we hope for positive new developments,” he said.
Recorded by Thermal Drone
He said the leopard was last recorded by the thermal drone imagery operated by the joint officers on the fifth day of the search.
“On the fifth day of the search (last seen), because its activity is indeed at night, and it is good at hiding,” he said.
While confirming the direction of the leopard’s movement, the management is increasing the use of trapping equipment to capture the 3-year-old animal.
“We are adding trap cages and portable trap cages. Currently, there are 4 cages installed; we are increasing it to 6. There is also a snare team,” he stated.
