Tirumala: Forest department traps fourth leopard in Seshachalam forest

TIRUPATI: In a major sigh of relief for the devotees thronging the Tirumala hills, a leopard which had been giving sleepless nights to devotees and officials for the last few days in Seshachalam forests, was successfully trapped near the 7th mile of the forest area on Sunday night.

Tirumala’s Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Nageswara Rao said almost a week ago, they had arranged over 400 trap cameras to trace the identity of a leopard and sloth bear which had strayed near the pedestrian routes to Tirumala.

On August 22, the forest department officials had traced the movement of a leopard and a sloth bear. However, the wild animals narrowly missed the trap arranged by the department and fled the spot, he said. So far, the forest department had captured four leopards during this month, he added.

The CCF said that the fourth leopard captured on Sunday night was shifted to Sri Venkateswara (SV) Zoological Park, Tirupati. "We will collect the blood and DNA samples of the fourth leopard. Earlier, two leopards captured by the officials were kept under quarantine in the zoo," he said.

On the tragic incident of a six-year-old girl Lakshita mauled to death by a leopard on August 12, Nageswara Rao said, "We are yet to confirm the leopard that attacked Lakshita. DNA and blood sample test reports will identify the specific leopard responsible for the girl's tragic death." He also said that plans were underway to acquire an additional 500 trap cameras and install them on pedestrian routes to Tirumala for pilgrim safety.