Leopard kills buffalo calf in Jamboti

There is no let-up in the attacks by wild cats in villages close to forest areas near here. A leopard killed a buffalo calf near Jamboti village on Monday evening.

The incident came to light when the village residents saw the cattle running helter-skelter in panic.

Guessing a possible attack by a wild animal, the residents searched areas coming under the Dukkarhonda forest area near the village only to find the carcass of the calf.

The owner of the calf Mukund Havaldar of Jamboti and the village residents later informed the forest officials in Khanapur, who visited the spot and confirmed that the predator was a leopard.

The calf was attacked while it was grazing with the other cattle.

Standing crop destroyed

Meanwhile, a small herd of two or three elephants destroyed standing paddy and sugarcane crops near Jamboti, Golyali, Talawade and adjoining areas since Sunday. The forest officials indicated that the elephants had crossed over from Chandgad taluk of Maharashtra into Khanapur forests.

The village residents said the Forest Department should take steps to prevent elephants straying out of forests and destroying their sources of livelihood.