Keonjhar: Panic gripped Panchupalli village under Anandpur forest division in Keonjhar district after a video showing a leopard moving around went viral on social media.
In the short video clip, the leopard was seen moving around on agricultural fields on Baitarani river bank near the village.
The forest department has launched an inquiry after a video doing rounds on the internet. From the pugmark trace, the animal seems to be a leopard, Anandpur DFO Abhay Kumar Dalai. He urged the people to remain calm and not to panic.
It is suspected that the animal might come from nearest Hadagada sanctuary in search of food. It has also returned to the forest, he said.
“People in the nearby areas will be made aware of the movement of leopard though loudspeakers. We have also instructed village committees to convene meetings for awareness,” Dalai added.
The forest officials advised the locals not to go outside alone, especially during nighttime.
The Hadagada sanctuary is home to wide range of wild animals like elephants, leopards, fishing eagles, hornbills, hyenas, bears, sloth bears and deer.
