Leopoard sighting on Hubballi outskirts, public warned

Following reports of leopard sightings near Hubballi Airport and Gamanagatti Industrial Area on the outskirts of Hubballi, authorities have warned the public not to venture out into the area alone after sunset.

Vasantha Reddy KV, Chief Conservator of Forest; Vivek Kawari, Deputy Conservator of Forests; Parimala VH, Deputy Conservator of Forests; RS Uppar, Pasture Forest Officer; Hubballi Airport director Rupesh Kumar and CISF personnel visited the airport and areas around Gamanagatti industrial area on Wednesday.

Authorities reported that a cage has already been kept around the airport and camera traps have been set up to trap the leopard.

Patrols by frontline personnel of the Ministry of Forestry have been intensified, and the general public and airport staff have been warned not to go out alone between 7 pm and 7 am.

Officials said they had noticed garbage being dumped in the Gamanagatti industrial area and a leopard was likely to visit the area to hunt stray dogs that frequent the garbage dumps. The public was called to not throw away garbage in the area, and airport officials were asked to discuss the issue with municipal officials.