Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SD)

Kundapur, Feb 10: A leopard which fell into the well died as it got drowned in the presence of forest officials, who came to its rescue too late and without any equipment. This incident occurred on Saturday February 10 at Shiroor Murkeina Bhandarthi near Mandarthi.

The leopard, which was three years old, must have fallen into the well while chasing a dog or deer in the night. On the morning of Saturday February 10, a person called Rama Naik heard some sound coming from the well at 5.30 am. When he flashed his torch into the well he saw a leopard and informed the forest department immediately.

Forest rangers arrived late at the scene.

Forest rangers arrived an hour after receiving the information about the leopard fighting for its life in the well. In addition, they arrived without any appliances required to save the leopard from the well. They reported the matter to their higher authorities. When the actual rescue operation began it was too late as the leopard fighting for its life for more than six hours ultimately died in front of the forest officials by drowning.

Manjunath Naik, an expert diver, brought the body of the leopard from the well. Later, post-mortem was conducted at the animal health center at Bidkalkatte.

Chance of saving the leopard muffed by the forest officials
According to the locals, even if a strong wooden log had been held for the leopard to stay afloat, it could have been saved. But the forest officials came to the rescue without any equipment. Locals are accusing the forest officials of negligence and not being ready with the required apparatus when such a mishap happened.

Frequent roaming of leopard in the area
According to locals, the frequency of sighting of leopards has increased in and around the vicinity of Shiroor, probably due to the increase of forest animals including deer. Though the forest officials have kept cages to catch the leopards, they seem to be of no use.

Forest officials Santhosh, Harish, Veeranna, Rakesh and staff of the department along with Naveen Chandra, president, Billadi gram panchayat took part in the operation.