The sighting of a leopard on the busy airport road connecting Tarihal Bridge and Gamanagatti has plunged residents of nearby villages in Hubballi into a state of fear and anxiety. The incident, which was confirmed on December 23, has left many villagers afraid to step out of their homes, disrupting daily life.
Intensified Search Operations Underway
In response to the alarming sighting, the forest department has launched an intensive search operation. Officials have installed three cages as traps and set up a network of 11 CCTV cameras across the area to monitor the big cat's movements. Despite the leopard being captured on these surveillance feeds, it has cleverly avoided the baited cages so far.
RS Uppar, the range forest officer of the Hubballi division, stated that forest teams immediately inspected the zone after the report. He confirmed that the leopard is still roaming the area and is under constant CCTV surveillance. Uppar assured the public that all efforts are being made to capture the animal at the earliest.
Residents Voice Fear and Demand Action
The anxiety among locals was compounded when mobile phone footage captured by residents confirmed the leopard's presence, ending a week of speculation. Reports that the same leopard was also spotted in Renuka Nagar under Gokul Road further heightened the tension.
HDMC ward No. 31 corporator Shankarappa Harijan highlighted the pervasive fear, noting that people are hesitant to venture outside. He acknowledged the forest department's intensified efforts over the past week, with around 15 forest personnel actively patrolling the airport vicinity, and expressed hope for a swift capture.
Community on Edge as Hunt Continues
The situation has created a palpable sense of unease in the community. While suspicions of leopard movement had circulated for several days, it was only the visual evidence from December 23 that provided official confirmation. Residents are now urgently demanding that the forest department succeed in capturing the leopard to restore a sense of safety and normalcy to their daily routines.
The forest department's efforts remain ongoing, with personnel vigilant and monitoring the situation closely. The community waits, hoping the operation concludes safely and swiftly, bringing an end to the current climate of fear.
