The villagers of Saraswatipur under Sasang GP of Sadar block in Baleswar district are in panic as an adult leopard strayed into the village on Monday. While the big cat took shelter on a palm tree, hundreds of people gathered at the site to witness it. Forest staff and policemen faced a tough time to control the public.
Baleswar Range Officer Suvendu Mallick heading the team tried to give a safe passage to the leopard; yet neither it got down from about 20 feet of the tree nor the did the crowd move an inch from the spot. As the efforts proved futile, the district wildlife department sought help of their counterparts from Baripada. Although a team from Baripada arrived, by evening all of them remained confused about a technique to be used to bring the leopard down from the tree. They were not in favour of using tranquiliser. The forest personnel also sought fishermen’s help for use of their nets. The leopard sneaked from the Nilgiri forest areas, it is believed.