WITH spotting of footprints of a leopard, villagers of more than half a dozen surrounding villages of Katni city are in panic. The frightened villagers informed the forest department about the leopard footprints, after which the forest department team launched a search for leopard.

 

The forest department has issued warnings in the city's border areas, advising people to be vigilant and not to venture out alone at night. It may be recalled that that a few days ago, a leopard dragged a ten-year-old boy in broad daylight from Ghunaur village in Vijayraghavgarh tehsil and killed it. In light of this incident, the forest department team is exercising extra caution.

 

On the other hand, in Khamhariya village of Bahoriband area, a bear was injured after getting caught in the barbed wire fencing installed to protect a field. On seeing the bear trapped in the fencing, forest department was informed. Therafter Ranger Devesh Gautam and his team reached the spot.

 

Under the guidance of veterinarian Amol Rokade from Jabalpur, the bear was tranquilized and rescued from the fencing. After treatment, it is being sent to Mukundpur Safari. The bear is around 8 to 10 months old