Fear has spread among villagers in Jagdal union of Magura Sadar upazila after a video of a big cat went viral on social media.

On Sunday (21 June), a video of the animal from the Majhipara area of Jagdal union spread on Facebook. The area has been in uproar since the animal was seen in bushes beside the village's paved road at around 11pm on Saturday.

Local youth Israfil Hossain said that at around 11pm on Saturday, as he was returning home from the local bazaar, a wild animal suddenly came out of the roadside bushes in front of him. Though frightened, he plucked up courage and recorded a video of about seven seconds on his mobile phone.

He then went to the local bazaar and told people. Many did not believe him at first, but after seeing the footage the incident became the talk of the area. Several people went out to search for the animal but could not find it in the dark.

Speculation about the animal has been rife, with some claiming it was a leopard and others a fishing cat. Concern is highest among school and college students and their parents, as there are several educational institutions near where the animal was seen.

Idris Ali of Majhipara said: "At first I didn't believe my nephew. When he showed us the video, we went to the spot and saw the animal. We tried but could not catch it. The villagers are now living in fear."

He added that four chickens went missing from a neighbouring house that night, and it is thought the animal caught and ate them.

District forest official Tapendranath Thakur reviewed the video and said the animal had been identified from it as a fishing cat. Fishing cats are still seen in rural areas across Bangladesh, usually living in bushes and around water bodies and ponds, he said. Higher authorities have been informed and efforts will be made to take the necessary steps.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.