Leopard attacks youth in Ankola, escapes with injuries

KARWAR – A 24-year-old man, Santosh Hoovanna Gowda, sustained serious injuries after a leopard attacked him in Ulagadde village under Vasarakudri gram panchayat, Ankola taluk. The incident occurred at a newly constructed house where the leopard had been hiding.

According to locals, a young woman had gone to retrieve clothes when she spotted the leopard and screamed. Startled, the leopard emerged from hiding just as Santosh Gowda was stepping out of the adjacent house. The leopard lunged at him before fleeing the scene. Santosh suffered deep injuries to both hands and was immediately admitted to the Ankola taluk hospital.

Ankola Police Inspector Chandrashekhar Mathapati and his team visited the hospital for inspection following the incident. The unexpected intrusion has sparked concern among villagers, who now fear for their safety.

“This is a serious threat. The Forest Department must take swift and effective action. People and livestock are at risk,” urged Anandu Gowda, a member of the Agasuru Gram Panchayat.

Residents are calling for increased vigilance, timely intervention, and preventive measures to ensure such encounters are avoided in the future. Forest officials are expected to investigate the leopard's movement and prevent further human-wildlife conflict.