Elusive leopard makes fresh attacks near Ambur

In the latest incident, a calf owned by Palani, a farmer belonging to Arunkaldurgam village, was killed. The calf, tethered outside Palani’s house, was mauled by the leopard. Three goats, owned by a farmer in the nearby Ponnampalli village, were found dead earlier.

Forest Department staff recalled that the leopard was first sighted in the area last December. The animal, which eluded all attempts made to capture it, mauled six persons, three of them seriously. The department staff had set up three cages with goats as a bait. Since they were not successful, the cages were removed.

The animal was subsequently not sighted by villagers, following which the foresters informed them that the leopard was not likely to return.

However, with the leopard now returning, villagers said they are scared for their safety. “With summer setting in, the area is now dry and parched. We are scared that the animal will venture into our villages in search of water and food,” Kumaresan, a local, said.

“We fear for our livestock as the animals are tethered outside at night and hence can easily be attacked by the leopard,” said another villager.

Though the foresters placed a cage in Arunkaldurgam a few days ago, villagers said the animal has not visited that area till now, adding that the department should take proactive steps to capture the elusive leopard.

When contacted, Tirupattur district forest office officials said DFO R Murugan was away in Chennai on an official work, while a team led by the local Assistant Conservator had gone to the spot. “The Ambur range office would have more information,” they said, refusing to give further details about the steps being taken.