Dharwad villagers spot leopard near fields, ask forest officials for protection

Forest officials rushed to the villages of Mansur and Benakatti in Dharwad district after residents reported seeing a leopard roaming in their fields. Farmer Yallappa stated that he spotted the wild animal near the spot where his cattle were tied in his field. He then called out to labourers who were harvesting paddy in a nearby field. According to him, the leopard stayed in the field for roughly an hour and a half before the people drove it away into the forest. Following the incident, forest officials arrived in the village and collected copies of footmarks that villagers identified as belonging to the animal. Farmers have now asked forest officials for protection while they go to work in their fields, especially since it is currently the harvest season.

Context

Leopards occasionally wander into human settlements and agricultural areas near forest fringes, particularly when looking for food or water. Rural communities often face challenges during harvest periods when farm workers are active outdoors in fields for long hours. Forest departments generally respond to such reports by tracking animal movements and taking precautionary safety measures.