Belagavi: Panic gripped Gunji village in Khanapur taluk after a leopard that has been roaming the area for nearly two weeks hid inside a house overnight and narrowly missed attacking a woman on Sunday morning. The incident has heightened fear among residents and prompted forest officials to intensify efforts to capture the animal.The leopard entered a newly built bathroom attached to the house of Prasad Ghadi on Station Road during the night and remained concealed there until morning. Unaware of its presence, the family went about their routine. Around 6 am, Ghadi brought his cows and buffaloes out of the cattle shed and tied them outside, while family members, neighbours and children moved around the premises.
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Some children were reportedly washing clothes just a few feet away from where the animal was hiding.A major tragedy was averted around 8am when Ghadi’s wife reached into the bathroom to collect grass. The leopard suddenly growled and raised a paw at her. She instinctively jumped back and escaped unharmed before alerting others. The animal then quietly emerged from the bathroom, crossed the compound wall and disappeared into nearby vegetation.Despite spending the night near an open cattle shed where cows, buffaloes and calves were tethered, the leopard did not attack any livestock. Eyewitnesses said the animal appeared weak and sluggish and even stumbled while scaling a compound wall, leading villagers to suspect it may be injured or unwell.The leopard has been sighted several times in Gunji over the past fortnight, including near the Mauli Temple and the Gram Panchayat office. Villagers claim it has already killed a few stray dogs and fear it could pose a threat to people and livestock.Residents have submitted a memorandum to forest officials seeking the leopard’s immediate capture. Assistant conservator of forests Basavaraj Walad said patrol teams have been deployed, surveillance intensified and cages installed to trap the animal. The department has urged residents to remain vigilant and report any fresh sightings immediately.
