Boinda: Panic gripped the residents of Dhandadhepa forest range area under Athmallik block in Angul district after five calves were reportedly killed by a leopard in the last two days.
The animal strayed into the village and preyed on the calves in cowsheds late in the night, locals said. Among the farmers who lost their animals to the beast were Dibakar Dehuri, Paradesi Nayak, Madhab Sethy of Cherkhandi village, Pranabandhu Sahu of Bhagirathipur village and Nisamani Pradhan of Dabandhipur village.
At first locals had thought it was a hyena, but a cowherd confirmed that it was a leopard after the animal attacked his herd in a forest near the village.
“We fear it might attack our houses as it has already entered the village and is snatching away calves from cowsheds,” said a terrified local.
Panicked locals are remaining indoors after dusk and are not getting out of their houses till sunrise. The leopard-induced dusk-to-dawn curfew has hit agriculture operations as many farmers have to go to their fields for work early in the morning.
On the other hand, children and college students who have to walk to nearby schools and colleges through a forest are terrified. Women in the village have stopped going to forests for collecting leaves and firewood and locals tie their cattle in the cowsheds without releasing them for grazing.
Forest officials said they had been informed about the animal and a team would visit the village and take stock of the situation. PNN
