Wild cat mistaken for leopard sparks panic in Aluva Thuruth

Kochi: A wave of panic hit the residents of Aluva Thuruth following reports of a potential leopard sighting in the area on Friday. However, following a swift investigation, officials from Malayattoor forest division ruled out the presence of a leopard, attributing the scare to a fully grown wild cat.

While inspectors did find unusual pugmarks in the vicinity, a thorough analysis confirmed they did not match those of a large predator. “We completely rule out the possibility of a leopard or tiger straying into this region. The nearest forest area is Malayattoor and Athirappilly, located 21 to 41km away, making it highly improbable for a leopard to wander this far into a populated zone. The tracks appear to be those of a large wild cat, a species known to inhabit isolated, bushy areas.

Furthermore, residents only caught a glimpse of the animal from a distance, leading to hasty assumptions,” a senior official said. While leopards are absent, the thick brush in the area is known to harbour jackals, he added. Despite official reassurances, apprehension remains high among Thuruth residents. The anxiety has been fuelled by a low-quality video clip circulating on social media. “A video of an animal, which appears to be a leopard shot from a considerable distance, is doing the rounds, keeping the local community on edge,” said former councillor Seby Bastian.