Leopard scare creates panic in Pithoragarh, its adjoining areas

PITHORAGARH: A suspected man-eating leopard has been on the loose in Pithoragarh for a week causing panic among the residents in the city and its adjoining areas. Forest department has now sounded an alert in the area.

Notably, the leopard killed a 27-year-old woman at Papdev village on September 3 when she was coming from a local fair.

However, the ‘killer’ leopard is still on the loose in the area forcing people to avoid venturing out in the open after dark. Earlier, leopard cubs were seen roaming in the area causing panic among the locals, and were subsequently trapped by forest department officials.

Police have also issued warning against rumours and fake videos circulating on the social media and creating unnecessary panic in the area. Several fake videos attributing to the leopard have been shared online.

Forest department officials even placed a cage in Papdev but could not apprehend the animal. They have also sent a request to the conservator of forests ( wildlife ) to declare the animal as man-eater, according to DK Joshi, ranger, Pithoragarh .

A number of morning walkers have stopped their daily exercise and people are shutting their shops early as a precautionary measure. “A lot of people are cancelling their morning walk since the September 3 incident,” said Dinesh Awasthi, a local resident.

Forest department officials have asked people to trim bushes around their houses, and avoid venturing out after dark. “If required, come out in groups, finish your farm work before evening and return home immediately,” they said.

“The leopard may be around somewhere near the city. So, forest department is on alert. The department’s officials are trying to trap the wandering animal,” Joshi added.