Holiday declared for schools in Ariyalur as due to leopard movement
They have asked the officials of the Ariyalur forest department to start tracking the animal from Friday.
Visual from the spot
CHENNAI: Ariyalur District Collector Anne Mary Swarna on Friday declared holiday for all schools in the district due to fear of leopard movement.
Students who went to school were sent home in the afternoon, stated a report from Daily Thanthi.
While officials have been tracking the movements of the elusive leopard across Mayiladuthurai district, a CCTV footage near the Senthurai government hospital in Ariyalur district on Thursday late night had shocked them.
They have asked the officials of the Ariyalur forest department to start tracking the animal from Friday.
According to officials, the tracking team from Mayiladuthurai district had continued the process along the Magimalaiaru Veeracholanaru, Nandalaru and Nattaru banks after they received information from the public regarding sighting of a leopard in Nallathukudi area near Old Collectorate in the district. The tracking team also intensively combed the area in early morning on Friday but no evidence of leopard movement could be found.
Officials have been gathering information from different villages and have been interacting with village presidents, residents and other government departments to collect any information related to the hiding places of the animal and also any possible signs of the leopard movement. Officials are also in touch with villagers through WhatsApp groups to source information round the clock.
Meanwhile, during the late hours on Thursday, officials received information about the possible movement of the leopard at Senthurai GH area in Ariyalur district. Soon, they secured the CCTV footage and confirmed the wild animal’s movement in that particular location.
Officials of the Ariyalur forest department have commenced tracking the animal and alerted residents to remain indoors.
(Inputs from Bureau)