The photo of two leopards walking on the road at Betulwada, Agonda which was caught on CCTV camera which appeared in ‘The Goan Everyday’ dated May 2, can send a chill up one’s spine. The two adult leopards were seen moving menacingly on the road in front of residential houses. It is understood that it is nothing unusual in Agonda for instances of leopards attacking domestic animals. The two leopards were reportedly trying to attack a dog which fortunately was kept in a cage which probably saved its life. It must be said that unplanned development and increase in housing projects have displaced the wild animals from their natural habitat. They cannot find their natural prey in the jungles and hence they foray into residential areas. The people here could be facing danger if they come out of the houses during the night. The forest department needs to trap the leopards roaming in residential localities and leave them in the wild. A constant watch needs to be kept on the movement of any wild animals in residential areas which can pose danger to human life and that of domesticated animals.
