Mysuru: Only recently the Mysuru Zoo caught and relocated a leopard that had strayed into it from the Chamundi hills. And now it suspects that another leopard may have found its way into the zoo from the same hills.
As the leopard that had strayed into the zoo on October 26 was translocated to its natural habitat over 100 kms away, Mysuru zoo sources believe a different leopard may have strayed into it again a couple of days ago from the hills.
The second leopard appears to have wandered near the road between the zoo and Karanji lake nature park Tuesday night.
“Its pug marks found in the area have confirmed this. But the leopard has gone back. Now we have placed two cages in the area to trap it and are installing additional closed circuit cameras in the vicinity too. We have taken all measures to ensure the safety of visitors and are allowing them into the zoo only after ensuring that they are under no threat from any animal,” zoo executive director, C Ravishankar told the Deccan Chronicle.
Asked why the leopards were entering the zoo, he said it could be a mere coincidence. “They may have sensed animals or food here,” he explained.
Two weeks ago a year-and-a- half old leopard had strayed into the enclosure of the lion tailed macaques at the zoo, creating panic. Thanks to the little animals, who alerted their keeper when he came to open their cage at 8.40am, the leopard was caught in a two-hour operation. Visitors were allowed into the zoo only at 11.30 am after it was safely secured.
