Mangaluru: Black panther spotted near Nelliteertha temple

Mangaluru: Black panther spotted near Nelliteertha temple

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 5, 2025: A black panther was spotted near the Nelli­theertha temple surroundings close to Bajpe. In the early hours of Monday, CCTV footage from a nearby house captured a black panther walking along the road.

Locals said that a black panther had also been seen near Nelliteertha earlier in January, and sightings have been frequent in recent days.

Responding to the incident, Range Forest Officer Rajesh Baligar stated that no official information about the panther’s movement had been received yet. However, both normal and black panthers are known to move through the area. He explained that since the region consists of scrub forests and hilly terrain, it provides a suitable habitat for leopards. He urged the public to stay cautious, especially while moving through isolated areas during day or night.

Last year, a similar case was reported in Yedapadavu, where a black panther accidentally fell into a well belonging to Shakunthala Acharya. Forest officials had rescued the animal safely and released it back into the wild.