Pugmarks of leopard spotted near Arkavathi river: Karnataka Forest department
Earlier this week, residents of Chikka Togur, a few kilometres away from where the leopard was shot dead on November 1, said that they sighted another leopard. However, officials denied the presence of another leopard in that area.
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“We have found pug marks near the river area. We are taking measures to capture it,” a senior forest official said. (Source: Special Arrangement) Ten days after a leopard was shot dead near Kudlu gate, pugmarks of another leopard were found near Arkavathi river in Karnataka. Forest officials have confirmed that the pugmarks were found on November 9.
“We have found pugmarks near the river area. We are taking measures to capture it (the animal),” a senior forest official said.
Earlier this week, residents of Chikka Togur, a few kilometres away from where the leopard was shot dead on November 1, said that they sighted another leopard. However, officials denied the presence of another leopard in that area.
“The pug marks were of the first leopard. Moreover, it was not captured by any cameras. However, we stepped up the patrolling but nothing was found,” the official said.
Leopard Task Force
On November 6, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre issued directions to the forest department to set up a leopard task force for Bengaluru. Department officials said it will help them to tackle man-animal conflict efficiently.
“A different budget will be allocated and over 10 staff of the forest department will be part of the task force. A vehicle will be permanently stationed at the Aranya Bhavan office in Bengaluru. Discussions are going on if the task force will have a separate veterinarian. Presently, we have to get a veterinarian from Bannerghatta National Park. If we have a sole veterinarian dedicated to the task force it will be better,” a senior forest official said.
“The training (of personnel) definitely needs to be revamped. We all learn from new experiences. The shooting down of the leopard was sad but there was no other alternative left,” the official added.
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