Medak: A teacher had a close encounter with a leopard while riding his bike to school near Gajireddipally village in Havelighanpur mandal on Friday morning. The teacher, shocked to see the leopard crossing the road just a few meters away, stopped his bike. Despite the close proximity, the leopard remained calm, crossed the road, and showed no signs of aggression.
Out of caution, the teacher reversed his bike a few meters and joined other road users heading in the same direction. Upon reaching the school, he immediately informed the villagers about the sighting. The news spread quickly, and local residents alerted the forest officials.
The village, located on the edge of the Pocharam forest area, has seen several similar incidents in recent months. Villagers reported multiple sightings of leopards in and around the village. This isn’t the first time that the region has experienced such encounters. In previous months, residents in nearby villages had reported leopards venturing into human settlements, often in search of food or shelter.
One such incident occurred earlier this year when a leopard was seen roaming near a farm in the neighboring village of Peddapur. Villagers had to take precautions, avoiding the area after dusk until the forest officials were able to track the animal. In another case, a leopard was sighted near the local irrigation tank, with residents expressing concerns over their safety.
Forest officials have since assured the villagers that they are monitoring the situation closely. They have also advised people to stay alert and report any further sightings to authorities. The increasing frequency of leopard sightings has raised concerns about the growing overlap between human settlements and wildlife habitats, as urban expansion and deforestation encroach on traditional wildlife territories.
As authorities investigate, locals continue to remain vigilant, knowing that these wild animals are often forced into populated areas due to loss of habitat.
