Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 26: A leopard that was earlier moving around the outskirts of the city has now entered the city limits. Its movement on Monday night at Doctors Lane in Kadri was captured on CCTV, triggering concern among local residents. Two years ago, a wild bison had been spotted in the same area.

The forest department has initiated efforts to capture the leopard and has placed a cage behind the Nagabana in front of 7th Cross in the Kaibattalu area as part of the operation. Along with the cage, two hens have been kept in another enclosure. In addition, forest department staff have been divided into three batches and are carrying out the operation. Officials said the leopard does not usually move during the daytime and steps have been taken to capture it as it roams at night.

Forest department officials placing a cage at Kaibattalu

Officials also stated that the breeding season of leopards is from November to February, during which they tend to move around more. If leopards enter human settlements, they do not remain in one place and may attempt to settle where they find easy food sources such as poultry waste and dogs. Hence, authorities have advised the public not to dump meat waste indiscriminately.

Leopard movement is commonly reported in the areas of Neermarga, Bajpe and Edapadavu, and it may have entered the city in search of food from those regions. Officials said a leopard can travel about 15 to 20 km in a single night and urged the public not to panic but to remain cautious.