Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MB)
Pics from RK Durga Digitals
Udupi, Mar 20: A wild cat that sought a safe haven on a cashewnut tree in Yermal-Bada village here on Monday created a furore and a mild kind of panic for well over half a day since it was mistaken for a bear.
The animal was spotted on the tree early in the morning and the news spread very quickly. It was resting quietly and was being being pecked at by crows hovering around. Not being familiar with the looks of a wild cat, the crowd mistook it for a bear. The crowd increased in number with every passing minute because of the Ugadi holiday.
The Padubidri police, headed by SHO Navinchandra Jogi, rushed to the spot. By the time a rescue plan was being chalked out it was already noon. A large posse of mediapersons also gathered to cover the 'event'. Forest officilas led by Ramanand also arrived with a large net to capture the animal.
The net was spread wide under the tree and the branches were trimmed to enable the animal to descend. Suddenly it jumped into the net. It was kind of anticlimax for the people around to learn that it was only a wild cat.
In between it tried to escape and took shelter on a nearby fence. But some youth appeared to be hell-bent on capturing it. An hour and strenuous efforts later, it was caught and handed over to forest officials who were to release it later into the Hebri forest.
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