Bengaluru: Panic and anxiety resurfaced among residents of Anjanapura, near JP Nagar 9th Phase in south Bengaluru, after an elusive leopard — first spotted one week ago — was sighted in the courtyard of a house early Tuesday.The leopard was captured on a CCTV camera installed at the house located close to NICE corridor even as forest department teams have been trying to track and rescue the animal for nearly one week without success.
Officials from Kaggalipura forest range under Bengaluru Urban forest division have been camping in the area and conducting combing operations since the first sighting. Despite setting up a cage and installing camera traps at strategic locations, the big cat continues to evade capture, intensifying fear among residents and raising questions about how long they must live under such uncertainty.The leopard was first spotted near Anjanapura 7th Block about one week ago. On Tuesday, residents reported another sighting near 5th G Block, while there were also unconfirmed reports of the animal being seen in 8th Block. The repeated sightings across multiple residential blocks left residents shaken.“We don’t know whether it is the same leopard or a different one. Though forest officials visit the locality daily and carry out combing operations, the leopard is yet to be traced. People are afraid to step out of their homes for morning or evening walks. Many children step out early to catch school buses and vans. The entire area is gripped by panic,” said a resident.Residents appealed to the forest department and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to initiate immediate measures to capture and rehabilitate the leopard, while ensuring public safety.Forest officials, however, maintained the situation is under control and being closely monitored. “A leopard was sighted in 7th Block following which the department placed a bait as a precautionary measure. The animal did not harm any humans but targeted pet dogs,” said N Kamble, range forest officer (RFO), Kaggalipura.Officials confirmed the leopard entered a house Tuesday morning, located barely 100 metres from NICE Road. There were no other buildings in the vicinity. “A task force has been deployed, and officials visit the locality daily to monitor the situation and ensure public safety,” Kamble added.— J Akilandeshwari
