The mystery surrounding the recent spotting of four cubs of a wildcat in the forests near Kudremani village under Belagavi range has been solved.
The cubs are that of a panther or leopard, according to wildlife expert Sanjay Gubbi.
The cubs were found on Sunday. The village residents informed forest officials about it the same day. However, the officials visited the spot only in the evening and avoided entering te forest area fearing the presence of leopards. The next day, the forest officials arrived but could not find the cubs. The parent could have shifted the cubs, they said, adding that they were not in a position to confirm whether the cubs were of a leopard or another wildcat.
When contacted, Mr. Gubbi, who was recently in Khanapur to monitor the movements of the man-eater tiger, said, “They are very young. They are melanistic leopards (panther).”
Movements of leopards and panthers have been noticed in Khanapur forests and in the forest areas between Khanapur and Belagavi taluks of Belagavi district and Chandgad taluk of Maharashtra. The village residents are worried as the predator is known to prey on cattle and other small animals.
