CANACONA, NOV 8
A 2.5-metre long Panther was sighted at Mastimoll-Canacona late Sunday night.
According to sources, Parashar Poi Khot of Mastimoll, who was driving past his saw mill situated at Mastimoll, saw a Panther approaching the road and stopped his car.
Sources further informed that the Panther reportedly with stripes jumped on the stationed car and raced.
“On seeing the huge Panther crossing the internal narrow road, I stopped my car, as the Panther slowly paced to the other side. The Panther brushed its long tail with my car’s bonnet,” informed Khot.
There are several previous unconfirmed reports of Panther sightings in the nearby and surrounding areas. Besides, complaints of Panther/leopard attack on pet animals like dogs, goats, etc.
However, people earlier have more suspicion on a Leopard as the culprit taking away their pets, as a few leopard sightings were also reported in the past.
However, Khot’s revelation that a Panther having crossed the road in close proximity of his car, evinced keen interest among the local residents as Panther sightings even though widely believed to be present in Canacona forests are rarely seen and that this could be one of those rare and privileged sightings.
Interestingly, it was in the Mastimoll locality, an injured leopard was caught and caged in recent months, before it was treated at Hathipal and was later shifted to Bondla Sanctuary Park.
Efforts to contact Cotigao Forest Officer proved futile. However, a staff on duty differed saying there is no presence of Panthers in Canacona taluka. “It may be a large leopard only,” he added.
