PONDA: A resident from Dhangarwada, Kavlem has claimed that he was chased by a leopard and that he had to run for his life to ensure his own safety. That man added that he spotted a female leopard and her two cubs in the Dhangarwada forest area.
It is to be noted that Dhangars reside in this hilly area. After Dhangarwada locals filed a complaint, Kavlem sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar informed the Forest officials, who conducted an inspection of the area. The forest officials played down the locals’ fears and added that they saw cattle moving freely in the area unharmed.
“There is no possibility leopard chasing locals. However, in case the leopard has her cubs, then for their safety, the leopard may appear to be aggressive,” said the officials, who added that the leopard may have moved away in the Dhavlim forest area.
Locals pointed out that last year a leopard had killed a goat in their area. They added that they had spotted a leopard crossing the road in a residential area at Kavlem on several occasions and that recently a leopard was spotted in front of someone’s house at Savoiverem.
