Berhampur: Panic gripped people on Saturday after a video showing a leopard and her cub crossing a road between Khetamundali and Jagannath Prasad in Ganjam district went viral on social media on Friday.Vice-chairperson of Jagannath Prasad panchayat samiti Nilanchal Khilar spotted the adult leopard and its cub playing on the forest road at Kudutai under Jagannath Prasad forest range on Thursday evening. While travelling by car, he recorded the animals on his phone.Forest officials have confirmed the presence of the animals and are monitoring their movement. “We have alerted people after the sighting of leopards. We have advised the residents not to go into the forest area alone and at night. And not tease any animal,” said DFO of Ghumusar North Himasu Sekhar Mohanty. He said there was no reason to worry as the leopards were in the forest area.The range is home to around 16 elephants and 459 blackbucks. Besides, it has several birds and other prey animals, besides a good and healthy forest area. “The sighting of the leopard with her cub indicates that the habitat has adequate prey, water and shelter, as well as suitable conditions for breeding,” the DFO said. He attributed the developments to sustained habitat management, scientific monitoring, field protection and community engagement.
