Berhampur: Panic gripped Jakara village in Ganjam district after some people allegedly spotted a leopard on nearby Chikiti-Digapahandi road by the side of Ratanei forest area on Sunday. The officials of Digapahandi forest range, under which Ratanei falls, rushed to the area to monitor the big cat’s movement, after a video of it roaming on road went viral on social media.A Jakara villager alleged that one of his goats sustained injuries following the attack of the leopard late on Saturday night, even as forest officials did not confirm it. “No complaint has not been lodged with the forest officials in writing. We have asked him to lodge his complaints in writing, and we will inquire into it,” said an official.Led by Digaphandi range officer Dibya Ranjan Sahu, the team of forest officials have installed at least two camera traps in the vulnerable area, while patrolling has been intensified, said Sunny Khokkar, divisional forest officer (DFO), Berhampur.If needed they would install more camera traps and use drone cameras to monitor its movement, the forest officials said.They, however, haven’t yet seen the leopard or its pug mark during a search. Despite the fact, they have alerted the nearby villagers.An official said the residents of the areas close to the forests have been advised to remain cautious and report any wildlife sightings immediately to the forest officials.People living near Ratanei forest area had sighted a leopard some months ago. The forest officials said in the last tiger census, conducted in 2024, they had spotted the presence of leopards in the Ratanei forest area. But they have not received any depredation of the big cats in the area.
