Andhra Pradesh: Foresters Set up Cages to Trap Leopard

Kurnool: Forest officials have set up cages to trap a leopard roaming around in the Mahanandi area. These cages have been placed in locations near Mahanandi where the leopard was previously sighted hunting for prey.

The Nallamala forest area adjacent to Mahanandi is a tiger zone and the population of wild animals has increased significantly. Local people have repeatedly appealed to the forest department for protection against wild animal incursions. Recently, CCTV footage captured a leopard frequently roaming around the temple’s goshala and other areas during nighttime.

After the leopard was seen in the early hours of Friday, forest officials strategically set up two cages. Residents of a nearby colony reported that the animal was seen near the Devasthanam employees’ colony on Saturday evening too. It is believed the leopard came from the Nallamala forest and caught a dog as its prey. Officials have identified the leopard’s movement patterns based on available footage and are awaiting permission from higher authorities to capture and relocate the animal.

The incident follows the recent death of a woman from Pachharla village in Sirivella mandal, who was killed by a wild animal while collecting firewood in the deep forest. The leopard roaming in the area was eventually captured and relocated to the Tirupati zoo. In light of frequent leopard sightings, local people are requesting enhanced protection measures.

However, forest officials claim that poor sanitation near the goshala and annadana satram is exacerbating the problem. They say that temple authorities have neglected to maintain a hygienic environment. A senior forest department official stated that temple management should prioritise cleanliness to reduce the presence of pigs, dogs and other animals that might attract leopards as preys.