Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Feb 1: Indications are emerging that a leopard, which was earlier sighted in the rural parts of the taluk, has now moved closer to the town. On Saturday morning, a leopard was reportedly spotted in a garden near a student hostel at Muguli, adjacent to Beltangady town. Additionally, a woman reported hearing a leopard roar near Kellaguthu Junction.

Students of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Awas student hostel at Muguli noticed the leopard in a nearby arecanut plantation when they stepped out to wash clothes on Saturday morning. Alarmed by the sight, they immediately rushed back inside, secured the doors, and informed the hostel staff and local residents.

Meanwhile, near Kellaguthu Junction close to Muguli, a woman heading to work at a factory around 7 am stated that she heard a loud roar from the roadside, suspecting the presence of a leopard. Frightened, she ran towards Beltangady town and alerted locals about the incident.

Information was conveyed to Beltangady range forest officer Thyagaraj. Forest department staff, including Kiran Patil and Parashivamurthy, along with local residents, visited the area and are gathering information regarding the leopard movement.