Leopard Sighting Triggers Widespread Fear in Hubballi Region
The forest department in Hubballi recently captured a leopard that had been causing significant concern for residents in the vicinity of the Hubballi airport area over the past one-and-a-half months. However, public anxiety has escalated dramatically following the reported sighting of another leopard in Sherewad village within the same taluk.
Viral Footage from Legislative Council Speaker's Farm
On Tuesday, a leopard was allegedly spotted on the agricultural property of legislative council speaker Basavaraj Horatti. Video recordings from CCTV and mobile cameras, showing a leopard roaming near the cattle shed on Horatti's farm, quickly went viral across various social media platforms, amplifying local fears.
Siddappa Hanni, the former vice-president of Sherewad gram panchayat, confirmed the leopard's presence in Sherewad village and promptly notified the forest department. In response, the department deployed a cage in an attempt to capture the animal, and a CCTV camera installed at the site photographed the leopard.
Safety Measures and Official Denials
Hanni stated that announcements were made advising residents not to sleep outdoors at night and to avoid walking alone in Sherewad and neighboring villages. Despite these precautions, RS Uppar, the range forest officer, contested the authenticity of the footage from Horatti's farm. Uppar clarified that while a leopard was indeed spotted in Sherewad village last week, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim of a sighting on the politician's farm, labeling the viral video as fake.
Community Impact and Demands for Action
The situation has left residents of Varur village and surrounding areas terrified, with many afraid to leave their homes after dark. In light of these events, locals are urgently calling for a permanent resolution to the recurring leopard encounters. They have demanded that the forest department capture the leopard and relocate it to a secure location as swiftly as possible to restore safety and peace in the region.
