the goan I network
VASCO
Whether it is the presence of tanks containing inflammable substances or the rash movement of heavy vehicles carrying hazardous cargo, people in the Port Town have been living on the edge.
Now, a different kind of threat has caused panic after a leopard has reportedly been on the prowl in Vasco.
According to locals, the leopard was spotted on the road at a residential area in Bhutebhat late Monday
night, causing alarm in the area.
Darshil Chari said he and his family had spotted the leopard late Monday night.
“There were several dogs barking continuously and I came out to check with a torch, only to see a leopard moving on the road. The leopard made a strange sound around four times, before going into the tall grass in the fields on the other side of the road,” said Chari.
As news of the sighting spread like wildfire on Tuesday morning, a team of forest officials rushed to the site and inspected the area in the presence of Vasco councillors Deepak Naik and Yatin Kamurlekar.
The forest team then confirmed the possibility of the presence of a leopard in the area, triggering further panic among the locals.
Forest officials said pug marks had suggested a leopard had visited the place, but added there was no guarantee that the leopard may still be present in the area.
“Residents need not panic as leopards do not stay at one place for long and the reason for the leopard to enter the city was probably to target stray dogs attracted to garbage dumped in the open,” said a forest officer Rajendra Naik.
“We urge people to maintain cleanliness in the area as leopards are attracted to the smell of dogs which come to eat roadside garbage. Leopards usually do not attack humans. Private forests are being chopped and wild animals stray in the city. There are chances that the leopard may be displaced from some other area,” he added.
Vasco Councillor Deepak Naik said the forest officials have provided a helpline after residents claimed to have spotted the leopard roaming in the area.
“Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida had immediately summoned forest officials for a site inspection and now people need not worry. People can immediately call the helpline provided or may contact me and provide the location in case they spot the leopard so that we can immediately get the rescue team on the job,” said Deepak Naik.
