Leopard’s Bold Presence Stirs Fear Near Jubberhatti Airport
A quiet evening in the Khalagh area near Jubberhatti Airport turned startling for residents. What began as a routine task—parking his car near his home—resulted in a chilling piece of evidence: clear footage of a fully grown leopard moving through the area.
Video confirmed the growing fears of locals, who have reported multiple sightings in recent weeks. The big cats are not just passing through; they are making the slopes and forested ridges adjoining the airstrip their own. Reports suggest a “leap of leopards” is active here, with more than one cat prowling the region.
The situation has moved from concern to crisis for residents. “The leopard in the footage has been hunting domestic dogs in our locality. Several pets have disappeared over the past few days,” shared a local. He notes the animal’s alarming boldness, often venturing close to homes in the dim light of early morning and evening. The community is now living under a shadow of fear, with many too scared to step out after dusk.
In response, the State Wildlife Wing has set up a trap cage along the Airport-Dwaunti Road, a known hotspot. However, capturing the elusive animal has proven difficult. Wildlife officials confirm the leopard’s continued movement but cite its unpredictable routes as a major challenge to trapping efforts.
Feeling vulnerable, residents are calling for more robust action. They urge increased patrolling and nighttime surveillance, particularly in residential areas and near the airport boundary. There is a tangible fear for the safety of commuters, schoolchildren, and livestock if the leopards’ movements go unchecked.
With every new sighting and each unsuccessful trapping attempt, the tension around Jubberhatti Airport tightens. The community now waits and hopes for swift, decisive measures from the Wildlife Department to ensure safety and restore peace, before the whispers in the dusk turn into something more tragic.
