Forensics confirm leopard, search continues


AURANGABAD: The hair samples of the animal that attacked a goat in Banewadi on December 10 are identified to be that of a leopard.

It was a leopard had attacked a goat and a calf and later disappeared into the surrounding sugar cane in that area. The samples were examined at the Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU).

Despite confirmation of the forensic samples, no fresh evidence of the animal has been found.

"No leftovers of the prey have been found to prove that it was a leopard that attacked. No blood traces or fresh pugmarks have been identified in the surrounding area," said R S Dasre, regional forest officer.

He added that leopards have a tendency to move around 40 kilometres of radius of the surrounding area which makes it difficult for the animal to be traced.

"The trap that was laid in Golewadi has now been shifted to another field expecting the possibility of spotting the leopard there," he said.

He further said that the presence of a leopard in Paithan taluka situated around 50 kilometers from Aurangabad was reported in the past three days. However, the animal was found to be hyena on Tuesday.

"An in-depth sweeping of the entire area of Banewadi, Golwadi and Karnapura will be carried out on Tuesday evening to sense any possible activity of the animal, "he said.

Citizens in the area have been advised not to roam around alone in the fields and have also been asked to stay alert during evening hours.

"Citizens have been asked to carry lathis and form groups while roaming and performing routine activities in the fields and carry torch during evening hours," said Dasre

More than 50 officials have been stationed for round the clock patrolling in that area and decision will be made about the next move after Tuesday's patrolling, Dasre added.

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