Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: A leopard was caught on a CCTV camera attempting to prey on a house cat resting in the verandah of a residence in Agonda during the intervening night of June 17.
According to CCTV footage, the leopard was first seen at around 1.49 am leisurely walking through the porch area of the house, passing a parked car and a toy jeep before stealthily entering the verandah.
Once inside the verandah, the wild cat attempted to catch a house cat that was sleeping on one side of the premises. However, the cat managed to escape from the leopard’s grip. The predator was then forced to abandon its pursuit after being startled by the barking of a dog resting nearby.
The footage shows the leopard fleeing from the right side of the house and disappearing into the surrounding forest cover.
Although leopard sightings are not uncommon in the area, the latest incident has once again raised concerns among local residents. People have been urged to remain vigilant during night hours and avoid allowing children to venture outdoors after sunset.
The incident occurred in the Tourem-Moll area of Agonda, which has witnessed rapid residential development in recent years. The locality was once covered by dense forest and served as a natural habitat for a variety of wild animals and birds before the expansion of roads, electricity and water supply infrastructure.
Residents said leopards are frequently spotted in the area after dark while searching for prey. In the past, the animals have reportedly entered residential compounds, backyards and even kitchens in pursuit of domestic animals such as dogs and cats.
The latest sighting has once again highlighted the growing interaction between wildlife and human settlements in areas located close to forest habitats.
