Leopard panic in Odisha’s Nuapada: Another cattle killed, two big cats sighted by villagers

This comes just a day after an elderly woman was dragged away by a leopard and her half-eaten body found in the nearby jungle in the sanctuary. 

Nuapada: Panic continued to grip locals around Sunabeda Wildlife sanctuary and other areas in Nuapada district of Odisha as another cattle was killed and two big cats were spotted by villagers in separate areas on Tuesday night. This comes just a day after an elderly woman was dragged away by a leopard and her half-eaten body found in the nearby jungle in the sanctuary.

On Tuesday, forest personnel informed that a calf was killed by a leopard at Jalamadei village in Komna, the same place where the elderly woman’s attack was reported.

Meanwhile, at Taria Mahuabhatta under Amanara panchayat of Nuapada block, villagers claimed to have spotted two leopards on the prowl the same night. While they immediately informed the forest department personnel, the big cats had disappeared by the time the staff arrived. Sources said a calf had been killed by a leopard in the area just two days back. In the last 15 days, two buffaloes and a calf were killed while one bullock and a calf were attacked by the predators, they claimed.

The locals said they are living in constant fear for the last two weeks as a leopard has been straying into the villages and dragging away livestock from their houses several times.

Official sources said at least four such incidents have been reported since March 6 where locals have found half-eaten carcass of their cattle and even spotted the animal.

According to reports, the female leopard has two cubs and is taking shelter in a cave near the village. As the cubs are past the feeding stage, the animal is hunting for prey to feed itself and its offsprings.

Forest officials, however, reassured that staff have been deployed near the village and camera traps installed to monitor the leopard’s movement. Affected villagers will be compensated for the lost livestock as well, they said.

 

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