CANACONA: A leopard was caught on CCTV attempting to prey on a pet cat resting in the verandah of a house in Agonda during the early hours of June 17.
The footage, recorded at around 1.49 am, shows the leopard calmly walking through the porch area, passing a parked car and a toy jeep before quietly entering the verandah. Moments later, the big cat pounced on a house cat sleeping nearby.
Fortunately, the pet managed to slip away from the leopard’s grasp. The predator was then startled by the barking of a dog resting close to the house and quickly retreated, disappearing into the surrounding forest.
The incident took place in the Tourem-Moll area of Agonda, where rapid residential development over the years has brought human settlements closer to forest habitats that were once home to a variety of wildlife.
Residents say leopard sightings are fairly common after dark, with the animals often venturing into compounds and backyards in search of easy prey such as dogs and cats. In some cases, they have reportedly entered kitchens and other parts of homes.
The latest encounter has once again highlighted the growing interaction between wildlife and people living near forested areas. Locals have urged residents to remain alert during nighttime and avoid allowing children or pets to roam outdoors after sunset.
