A leopard sighting near the Digapahandi–Chikiti main road in Ganjam sparked panic after a video showing the animal roaming on a roadside hill went viral.
The clip, reportedly filmed close to the Ratneswari Temple, spread rapidly across social media and alarmed residents who frequently travel the stretch.
According to accounts, a group of youths spotted the leopard while driving late at night. They stopped their car and recorded the footage, which showed the big cat moving through the hilly terrain. The video immediately raised concern in nearby villages.
Forest Department officials rushed to the location and conducted an inspection. However, they have not confirmed the leopard’s presence. A senior official explained that verification is necessary to establish whether the video was filmed at the reported site or elsewhere.
Authorities noted that confirmation would depend on further evidence, such as livestock attacks or repeated sightings in surrounding areas. Until then, officials urged residents to remain cautious and report any suspicious wildlife activity.
Locals received advisories to avoid forested or hilly areas after dark, supervise children and livestock closely, and inform the Forest Department of unusual movements.
