Bhubaneswar: A leopard was spotted roaming at Bhanjapur under the Baripada township area in Mayurbhanj district on Friday morning.
The presence of a leopard has created panic among the residents of the area. They have been in constant danger since the leopard was spotted.
According to sources, the leopard was seen roaming at around 6.30 am near Budhikhamaria Primary School. As dogs started barking after seeing the leopard, the latter entered the school campus. Locals, seeing the leopard, informed the Forest Department.
Meanwhile, residents of the locality have urged the district administration to come up with immediate measures to trap the animal roaming in the locality.
It is suspected that the wild animal has sneaked into Baripada town in search of food from Similipal Sanctuary.
Forest department officials have started searching for the wild animal. Besides, rescue and tranquilizer teams along with the Divisional Forest Officer have reached the spot.
An onlooker said, “When I was about to leave for market, I found dogs started barking and birds chirping all of sudden. To my utter surprise, I saw a giant leopard entering the school campus. Chances of leopard entering into our houses and attacking us cannot be ruled out if the tiger is not trapped at the earliest.”
Another onlooker Makar Sarem said, “I was going to drop my daughter in tuition at 6.30 when I spotted the leopard. It was quite obvious on my part to get nervous after seeing the big cat. The concerned department should take immediate steps to capture the animal.”
Baripada Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Uma Mahesh said, “Upon being informed Forest Department officials have reached the spot and launched a search operation for the leopard.”
He, however, advised people not to be panicked.
