Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), May 17: A leopard was sighted wandering through Baripada town in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Friday morning, sparking panic among locals. However, authorities managed to capture the animal later in the day. Reports suggest that the forest department tranquilized the leopard before safely securing it.
Sources indicate that the leopard was spotted in the Bhanjapur area of the town. Upon receiving the information, forest department officials swiftly responded and launched a search operation.
Baripada town, situated near the Similipal National Park, often witnesses the presence of wild animals venturing into urban areas. Previously, a leopard was sighted in Jagannathpur village along the Lulung Road under Baripada forest division in Mayurbhanj district.
In another incident, a man tragically lost his life after being attacked by a leopard in Odisha’s Sambalpur district. The incident occurred in Orampada, Sahedi village, under the Nakatideula Range of Rairakhol in the district.
According to sources, Shada Munda was gathering wood in the forest when he fell victim to the leopard’s attack. Forest department officials promptly responded to the incident, recovering the body and sending it for autopsy. An investigation into the matter has also been initiated by forest personnel.
