Leopards Sighted In Nuapada

Nuapada: Two leopards were spotted near Amanara village under Musringi Reserve forest in Nuapada district.

As per local villagers, the two leopards were spotted in the reserve forest located close to the village after a person captured some still images of the wild animals moving on a huge rock atop a hill two days ago. Locals also witnessed the tigers moving near the jungle yesterday.

After receiving information, forest officials today reached the village and interrogated the locals to know about the movement of the leopards. Forest officials including the Range Officer have intensified patrolling in the area and are spreading awareness among the locals on how to keep themselves safe and protect their domestic animals. Locals have been barred from venturing into the jungle during the night.

Even as there are no reports of the leopards causing damages to life or property in the region, attempts are on to drive the big cats into deep jungle, said a forest official.

Locals are terrified over the sightings of the big cats because in 2017, a leopard had snatched away a 4-year-old child from a woman from Haldi Village and killed him. After sightings of two leopards in the forest close to residential area, the villagers fear that the wild animals could be more in number.