Mysuru: In a rather unexpected incident, the farmers found three leopard cubs and the mother in the sugarcane fields of Hallikere-Hundi village of Maraloor GP of Chikkaiahnachathra hobli of Nanjangudu taluk.

The cubs, estimated to be seven days old were found in fields belonging to Shivamma Mahadevappa when the farmers were engaged in cutting the canes. The petrified farmers fled the spot after seeing the big cat.

The locals intimated GP President M B Mahesh, who instantly made sure that the forest officials reached the spot on time.

However, when the forest official reached, the mother leopard had left. But, the forest officials refused to take the cubs away citing that it would be difficult to save the cubs in absence of their mother. They instead suggested that they would wait for the mother leopard to return and take the cubs away.

The locals say that over the last few weeks several sheep, dogs and other domestic animals have gone missing and it could be because of the leopard.