Leopard scare near Tirupati temple

Both the attacks took place near the deer park,along a 11-km long footpath that pilgrims use to walk up to the temple of Lord Venkateshwara. The path passes through thick forest area under the Sri Venkateshwara National Park. The attacks left 3-year-old Kokila and 8-year old Kalyani bruised and traumatised.

Leopards have never been known to stray in the vicinity of the footpath which is used by hundreds of pilgrims daily. After the attacks,the state government asked the Forest department to trap the animals. Minister for Forests P Ramachandra Reddy also told forest officials to launch an aerial survey to track the leopards.

The 353 sq km National Park is spread over seven hills and is home to some 21 leopards besides several species of deer,antelope,sloth bear and jackal. Forest officials say that declining prey base and encroachments by farmers into the protected area is driving leopards away from their natural habitat.

The deer park which has at least 250 deers is located along the footpath and obviously attracts leopards. It is where leopards and pilgrims come face-to-face causing man-animal conflict, Chief Conservator of Forests Tirupati Wildlife Division Mallikarjuna Rao said.

The female leopard that was behind the attacks on the girls has been caught and is now at the S V Zoological Park at Tirupati. Besides,the female a male was trapped on Sunday.

For its part,the Forest department has made it clear that trapping leopards is not the only solution. We have requested the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams TTD officials to initiate a few measures to discourage animals from straying near the footpath. First,is to relocate the deer park which attracts leopards. Littering on the footpath also attracts all kinds of animals including monkeys,so garbage has be disposed off regularly. We have also asked them to erect fencing at certain places, a Forest official said.