Leopard Attack in Vellore District Sparks Widespread Fear Among Locals
A leopard preyed on two calves in a farmland shed in a village near Pernampattu, Vellore district, before being spotted with its cubs close to Melpatti, sparking widespread fear among locals. The incident has raised concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the region, with authorities scrambling to address the situation.
Discovery of the Attack and Initial Evidence
Panchayat vice-president Manimaran, 45, discovered the one-year-old and four-month-old calves with neck and belly wounds in his three-acre leased plot early Friday. He claimed that footprints of a predator were found near rice paddy nets adjacent to the nearby forest, indicating the leopard's presence in the agricultural area.
Sighting of the Leopard and Cubs
A herder saw the leopard growling with two cubs amid hillside rocks around 5pm in Melpatti's Nayudu Street. The residents immediately alerted authorities, prompting the tahsildar Rajkumar, forest guard Pradeep Kumar, forester S Mathieswaran, and a 10-member team to rush to the spot to assess the danger.
Forest Officials' Response and Efforts
The leopard was with its two cubs on the hills near the village. We managed to chase the leopard and its cubs into the forest by bursting fireworks around 2am on Friday, said Vellore division (Pernambut range) forester S Matheswaran. He added, The villagers still claim that the leopards are in the village. They claim they saw the animals near the bridge. But we don't find any trace of the animal.
Ongoing Monitoring and Compensation Measures
A team of forest officials were camping in the village to monitor the activity of the animals. They assured that the department will send a report to the government on compensation for the loss of the cattle, aiming to provide relief to the affected farmer and prevent further conflicts.
The incident highlights the growing challenges of wildlife encroachment into human habitats in Vellore district, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant and report any sightings immediately.
