Karnataka: Wild animal creates panic among residents of Kotepura

MANGALURU: Residents of Kotepura in Ullal and forest department are on high alert after a wild animal resembling leopard/ hyena was caught in a CCTV camera on Monday. Following this, the forest department kept cages at three places to trap the animal and has warned people to be cautious.
Residents of Kotepura were complaining that many pet dogs were found missing in the past few days. Late on Monday, Irfan, a resident of Kotepura, saw the animal from distance and he was injured during a fall while trying to chase it away. It is suspected that the animal might have reached the place during the floods.
Deputy conservator of forest V Karikalan told TOI they have checked the CCTV footage from the area. “Though the video footage shows an animal, it is not sure whether it is leopard or hyena. Cages have been placed at three places and we have been observing closely the nearby areas. The place where the animal was seen is adjacent to sea and Nethravati river. The area also has large extent of mangroves, where it can hide during day time. Those animals come out in the night to catch dogs. Unlike tigers, leopard and hyena do not stay in one place. Hence, it may leave the place only through river,” Karikalan said.
The department has shared the contact numbers of officers with residents of Kotepura. They have been asked to inform immediately if they find the animal, he said, adding, “We are at high alert and ready to trap and rescue the animal in case it comes out.”