Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur

Puttur,  Sep 11: Two wild gaurs made a startling appearance on the Darbe bypass road in Puttur in the early hours of Friday, leaving motorists, morning walkers and other early risers alarmed.

The gaurs were spotted near the Duggamma–Deranna Shetty Sabha Bhavana on the bypass road along the Mani–Mysuru National Highway, as members of the public and motorists were beginning their morning commute.

Their presence on a major road in the heart of the town caught motorists off guard and sent milk dairy workers, newspaper distributors and people out for their morning walks into a brief state of panic.

The sighting of the two animals within the city’s residential limits has sparked fresh concern among local residents and the wider public.

Local residents said the gaurs may have strayed from nearby forest areas while searching for food and water, eventually making their way into residential and commercial parts of the town.

The animals had previously been known to enter plantations in rural areas, where they caused damage. Their latest appearance in an urban area, however, has raised concerns over the growing risk to residents and road users.

Puttur residents have urged forest department officials to launch an immediate operation to safely drive the gaurs back into the forest. They have also called for appropriate precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident and ensure the safety of motorists, pedestrians and residents in the area.