The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced an end to the search for three leopards that were reportedly seen in the premises of Soroti University, in Soroti City after only capturing domestic dogs in the traps they had set up for the big cats.
In a post on their X handle on Thursday evening, UWA revealed that it had withdrawn from the search after the Wildlife rangers and veterinary doctors teams it had deployed at the University, turned up with only dogs after days of searching.
“Following reports of leopards near Soroti University, our team spent days investigating & engaging residents. We set traps but captured only domestic dogs, which we safely released. We have therefore withdrawn our team” the statement read.
UWA further noted that it had sensitised communities around the area, encouraging them to report any wildlife animal sighting to them.
“For now, no leopard has been sighted, we have been sensitizing the communities all these days and encouraging them to report any wild animal sighting in the area. We remain on call” UWA said.
UWA added, “Leopards can live quietly alongside human communities for years without being noticed. These elusive animals naturally avoid people and rarely pose a threat when left undisturbed. If you encounter one, remain calm, keep your distance & never provoke it. Report sightings to UWA”.
The Head of Communication and Public Affairs at UWA Bashir Hangi, said the capture of the dogs should put an end to the panic among residents.
“This is what the @ugwildlife trap captured in Soroti. No one in the area could say for sure they’d seen a leopard. This should put an end to the panic among local residents. The operation has accordingly ended and teams will withdraw from the area” he said.
While replying to a one Jara Eko, a concerned netizen on X who alluded UWA’s withdraw to failure, Hangi shared a photo of the dog in a cage, replying with; “This is a dog, right?”.
UWA deployed teams to Soroti University, after the university administration raised safety concerns after the leopards were reportedly sighted on the CCTV footage, revealing that the wild cats were first spotted in the university grounds on November 4th.
