Staff Reporter

Margao

Residents of Balli were surprised to notice what they suspect to be a black panther prowling in their neighbourhood on CCTV footage.

Earlier last week, residents noticed that some pets had gone missing from their households and on installing a CCTV camera noticed the black cat.

Forest department officials on Tuesday visited the site, conducted inquiries and put in efforts to capture the animal which they suspect to be a leopard.

Speaking to mediapersons, local resident Kamlakar Naik said, “We had a CCTV installed and found the footage of a black panther. We are seeing that such wild animals straying into the village. The animal was pitch black and we had never seen this before. We get up early to start our day and we are worried that if we have to move about that we may be attacked by the animal.”

Another resident Vijaya Naik said that some pet cats and dogs had disappeared on March 3 and so CCTVs were installed to find the culprit. “We think it may have come from the hill nearby and we appeal to the state government to either build a wall or illuminate the area and that the forest department should catch the panther,” said Vijaya.