BENGALURU, MANDYA: A leopard entered the compound of a house in Bhutanahalli area of Bannerghatta forest on Saturday. This was the second time it had entered the compound, the first being on December 4. The house belongs to one Prasad.
The leopard was seen roaming inside the compound in search of food and was caught on CCTV camera. It had taken away a dog tied in front of the house a few days earlier, and is repeatedly coming to the residential area in search of prey at night.
Bhutanahalli is adjacent to the Bannerghatta Forest and locals are now anxious after leopards were spotted twice in one week.
Residents say that there is a possibility that four to five leopards may be in the area. A leopard had also attacked cattle, sheep and goats. Villagers are afraid to send their children to school and have requested the Forest Department to set up a cage and trap them.
A member of Prasad’s family said, “We are scared of the leopard. It has become difficult to go around with children and send them to school. If the Forest Department takes some measures, we can be safer. We have seen a leopard sitting on rocks earlier and it is coming frequently to houses these days. As of today, it has done no harm to anybody. We have already lost three dogs, including pups, and it may attack people at any time. Hence, the authorities concerned need to take necessary action to safeguard public life”.
Meanwhile, another leopard was spotted at Chandagirikoppalu village in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district.
Footage from CCTV camera shows the leopard crossing a railway track to enter Chandagirikoppalu village. The villagers of Chandagirikoppalu are demanding the Forest Department take preventive action before anything untoward happens.