The Gauteng department of agriculture, rural development and environment have issued a warning for residents in the Roodeplaat area to be on the lookout for a leopard which might be roaming in the area.

Details surrounding the sighting of the leopard are limited at this stage. In a notice published on social media, the department urged residents to “take note of suspicions of a leopard that is roaming around the Roodeplaat area.”

“Please be vigilant when you are visiting the [Roodeplaat nature reserve],” the notice on Facebook and Twitter read.

“The reserve has recorded an injury to a zebra and the wounds resemble puncture wounds as would be inflicted by a big cat or predator.”

🚨 NOTICE 🚨

Please note that there are suspicions of a Leopard that is roaming around the Roodeplaat area. Please be vigilant when you are visiting the reserve. #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/ag9X18IPcL

— GP_AgricRuralEnviro (@OfficialGDARD) August 25, 2023

Anyone who sees the leopard is urged to contact the department immediately.

According to reports, once the location of the leopard is confirmed, a qualified veterinarian will be called to help relocate it to a conservation area for safety.

This is not the first time this year that a big cat was spotted in the Pretoria area, as a lion was spotted on the R511 near the Hennops Hiking Trail in March.