With leopard on prowl, scare returns to Valparai

People grew anxious as the animal was prowling in the area where the Tahsildar’s office and a girl’s hostel for backward community are located. The neighbourhood is thickly populated with many houses. 

The public noticed blood splatters on a car and on the ground as the leopard had attacked a wild boar and took it into the jungles. 

On receiving information, a team of Forest Department staff led by Ranger Sakthivel visited the spot and examined the pug marks to track the movement of the animal. 

The municipality immediately got into action and removed dense bushes surrounding the Tahsildar’s office. There was also leopard movement in the same area, some six years ago. It was then captured and released in the Kadambarai forests. 

Interestingly, the Nadumalai Estate, where a leopard mauled to death a four-year old boy on February 14 is just a stone’s throw away from Vazhai Thottam. The killer leopard was trapped and relocated in the forest. Even as people heaved a sigh of relief, the leopard roaming in the area has again triggered fear among the public.

Local residents said that efforts should be taken to capture the animal immediately. 

“Though the Forest Department wants us to stay indoors after evening, it becomes difficult as students go for tuition and return home late. Also, labourers come by this way after work at night,” said N Mariannan, a resident of Vazhai Thottam. 

Meanwhile, the Forest Department staff said that vigil would be heightened during nights and steps would be taken to trap the animal, if it is found frequenting the neighbourhood. 

Similarly, a herd of elephants went on a mid-night rampage on Thursday targeting houses and a ration shop at Nallamudi Estate. 

The elephants were chased away by the Forest Department staff.