Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 5: A black panther has been sighted in the vicinity of the Nellitheertha Temple near Bajpe. In the early hours of Monday, CCTV footage from a nearby house captured the big cat walking along a road in the area.

Local residents said a black panther had also been spotted near Nellitheertha earlier in January, and such sightings have occurred occasionally in recent times.

Responding to the development, range forest officer Rajesh Baligar stated that the department has not yet received any official report regarding the latest sighting. However, he confirmed that both black panthers and regular leopards are known to inhabit the region. “The area consists of dense bushes and hilly terrain, providing a natural habitat for leopards. People should remain cautious, especially when travelling through isolated areas during the night or daytime,” he advised.

It may be recalled that last year, a black panther had fallen into a well at Edapadavu, in the premises of one Shakunthala Acharya’s house. The animal was safely rescued by forest officials and later released into the wild.