Bhubaneswar: Fear have gripped residents near the Digapahandi–Chikiti main road in Ganjam after a video purportedly showing a leopard roaming freely on a roadside hill went viral on social media.
The reported sighting, close to the Ratneswari Temple, has triggered widespread concern among locals, many of whom frequently travel the stretch.
According to preliminary accounts, a group of youths travelling in a car spotted the animal on the hilly terrain beside the road and stopped to record the footage. The short clip, which has spread rapidly across platforms, appears to show the big cat moving through the area, prompting immediate alarm in nearby villages.
Forest Department officials promptly reached the location following the reports and conducted an on-site inspection. However, authorities have so far stopped short of confirming the presence of a leopard in the area.
“We are not yet certain whether the video was actually filmed at this location or elsewhere,” a senior forest official stated. “Further verification is required before we can draw any conclusions.”
Officials explained that confirmation of the leopard’s presence would likely depend on additional evidence, such as reports of livestock attacks or repeated sightings in surrounding villages. Until concrete proof emerges, they have appealed to residents to stay vigilant.
Locals have been urged to avoid venturing into forested or hilly areas after dark, supervise children and livestock closely, and immediately report any suspicious wildlife movement to the Forest Department.
