CANACONA
Close on the heels of a leopard causing terror in Kopardem-Sattari, locals have raised alarm over sighting of wild cats in Agonda.
Residents from Betul-ward in Agonda have claimed that a leopard, a cheetah and a tiger have been sighted in the last few days in a residential locality, targetting domestic animals and dogs.
According to residents of Betul-ward in Agonda, leopards and cheetahs have become very active and move freely targeting their pets and dogs even in broad daylight.
Narrating a first-hand experience, a resident from the village said, “it was 9.45 pm on December 24 when we started our car to go for Christmas Mass. As we drove, we saw a fully grown leopard walking majestically on the road. We recorded the footage on our mobile with the wild cat later slipping into the bushes”.
In another incident on December 25, a resident Seby reported that his dog had gone missing. “People have even sighted a tiger foraying in our areas on several occasions. Sometimes it is so fearful to come out of the house just after dusk, as most of our houses are located just across the road where leopards and cheetahs are openly seen roaming”.
Another villager also reported sighting a leopard cub on December 26 around 7.30 while he was on his bike. “We feel leopards and cheetahs are constantly foraying into residential areas. This has become very unsafe for us and our children as they cannot venture out late in the evenings”, Braz Fernandes told The Goan.
In the last one month, residents have complained that several of their domestic animals including dogs, cats, fowls and pigs have been missing.
Residents said forest officials were being regularly informed about the menace of these wild cats but the traps set up by Forest Department have failed to nab even a single wild cat in the locality.
It may be recalled that last week, an adult male leopard was found dead, trapped in a wire snare at Kopardem-Sattari.
Although the place where the dead leopard was found is in a private holding and outside the Mhadei sanctuary area, it is contiguous and in eco-sensitive zone.
The discovery of the dead leopard has prompted Forest Department officials to swing into action and institute an inquiry to ascertain the identity of those behind setting up the wire snare trap.
Reacting to the incident, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane had said he has directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to track down those involved in placing wire snare traps.
"We will take harsh measures against those involved. Such actions will not be tolerated," Rane had said.
