A leopard was recently spotted roaming in the Janatha Plot area near the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, after being captured on CCTV footage.
The sighting occurred near a public plot along the temple’s chariot road, close to a row of pavilions. Thousands of people reside in this area, and several small shops also operate there. This is believed to be the route through which the leopard entered the locality.
Clarifying the situation, Kaushik Dalwai, Range Forest Officer of Hospet, said there is no cause for concern. “Leopards are commonly found in the Hampi region, where natural rock caves provide suitable shelter. So far, there have been no cases of leopards attacking or injuring people. Hence, residents need not panic. Since dogs are easy prey, leopards may occasionally enter populated areas and later return. However, these places are not their natural habitat,” he told reporters.