Post News Network
Balasore, March 23: Scores of people thronged Saraswatipur village under Sadar police limits in Balasore district Monday as a leopard climbed on a 30-feet palm tree of a villager out of fear after sneaking into the village Sunday night.
On being alerted, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Balasore and rangers of Chandipur and Nilgiri along with several other forest officials arrived at the spot. However, the assistance of authorities of Similipal Tiger Reserve forest were sought in the absence of tiger-catching equipment with the Balasore forest officials. Later, a tranquiliser team reached the spot from Similipal. The leopard was on the top of the palm tree till the report was filed.
The animal from Kuldiha forest of Nilgiri might have lost its route and entered the village, DFO Shubhendu Bhuyan said. The department has put up a net barricade within the 15 feet radius of the tree and laid nets on the ground to catch the animal.
However, there was no sign of the leopard getting down from the tree. “We have not used the tranquiliser gun yet as it might lead to the
leopard’s falling down from the tree after the animal would become unconscious. This can also cause severe injuries to the it or even death,” Bhuyan said.
Dr Khanin Changmai, veterinary surgeon of Similipal tiger project, said they are also concerned about the safety of people along with the leopard. Two-tier barricade system has been put up to catch the animal safely, he said. “We would resort to tranquiliser firing in case of emergency,” the surgeon added.
The forest officials are finding it difficult to rescue the leopard as hundreds of people of nearby areas gathered at the place to watch the animal. Police were found urging people through public address system to vacate the place for a smooth operation.
According to reports, wife of Kathin Das of the village raised an alarm after spotting the leopard in the paddy yard Monday morning.
The animal climbed on the palm tree of Janardan Brahmachari as the villagers rushed to the place. Following this, the forest officials were called to the village.
