Team Herald
PONDA: Two leopards were spotted in residential areas in the last fortnight, one at Kavlem and the other at Talavalim. This has caused panic among the villagers who fear for their safety.
The leopards were seen crossing the road from residential locality and disappearing into a hilly area.
Two local youth, who were returning home in their car at around 12 midnight on Monday, noticed a leopard moving on Dhonkhamb ground and clicked photos of the wildcat.
The youth also have taken photos of footprints of the wildcat in their backyard.
Following this, the locals have demand that forest officials trap these leopards before they attack the villagers or their cattle or get killed under vehicles while crossing the road.
According to the locals, the leopards also target stray dogs for food. The locals reported the incident to local Sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar, who in turn informed the forest officials, who inspected the site at Dhonkhamb Kavlem on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Talavalim villagers said that they spotted a leopard in their village at least four times and that too in broad day light causing panic among them. They said they spotted the leopard between 12.30 pm and 5.30 pm.
According to Forest Officials, this is the mating season as such the leopards are seen at various places. “They do not stay at one place. The leopards are moving in jungle area of Kavlem, Talavalim and also at Borim area near Sidhanath Porvath,” the official said.
