Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jul 31: A leopard has been roaming the Manipal area for the past week, causing alarm among residents. The public has urged the forest department to quickly capture the leopard.

Last Friday night, the leopard was spotted in the Perampalli house compound. On Monday night, it was seen in Anant Nagar, Syndicate Circle, and the End Point area, causing fear among locals.

Despite the forest department's efforts to locate the leopard in Perampalli, they were unsuccessful. Now, evidence of the leopard's presence has been found in Anant Nagar. Locals are worried that it could be the same leopard or that there may be 2-3 leopards in the area.

A local resident's parked car was damaged, presumably by the leopard. The car's tyre was found scratched, and paw prints were discovered nearby, confirming the leopard's presence.

The leopard was also seen at Manipal End Point, where a security guard reported the sighting to higher authorities, who then informed the forest department. On Tuesday, Deputy Range Officer Suresh Ganiga visited the area and set up a trap. Mahe Estate Officer Balakrishna Prabhu and Security Officer Satish were also present.

With sightings near the main roads of Manipal, residents are now afraid to move around at night. Hotel workers and night-shift employees are particularly anxious about commuting home after their shifts.

Dogs in danger

The forest department suggests that the leopards are migrating to urban areas due to a lack of food in small forests. The presence of street dogs, especially around End Point, attracts the leopards. Locals suggest that the municipality should control the street dog population.

Late Monday night, workers from a nearby hotel in Anant Nagar were terrified when they saw the leopard on the road while returning to their rooms. The leopard quickly disappeared into the bushes.

Manipal's joggers panic-striken

The overgrown vegetation around Manipal's Mannapalla Lake poses a potential hiding spot for the leopard. This area is frequented by hundreds of elderly people and children for daily walks, and the leopard sightings have made some hesitant to visit. Locals are urging the district administration to deploy security personnel immediately.

Night Patrolling by Forest Department Necessary
With the increasing leopard sightings, residents are calling for more action from the forest department. They demand traps be set in areas with thick vegetation to capture the leopard.

"The department is implementing all measures to capture the leopard seen in the Manipal area. There is no need for public panic. Our staff has already inspected the sighting locations. If the public spots the leopard, they should immediately inform the forest department. A trap has been set near Manipal End Point, and officials have been instructed to patrol and inspect the area at night. For immediate assistance, contact RFO Warijakshi at 9900816131, DRFO at 9449103163, or the Udupi RFO office at 0820-2523081." – Warijakshi, RFO, Forest Department, Udupi.