Hunt on for leopard that strayed into school campus in Tirupathur

TIRUPATTUR: A leopard strayed into a private school campus here on Friday, triggering panic among residents, a senior forest official said. While a hunt is on for the big cat, the Collector declared the schools closed for next three days.

According to the official, a parent who had come to the school to pick up his child around 4 pm noticed the leopard on the campus of the school located near the Collectorate. He immediately informed the authorities.

Police and Forest Department personnel rushed to the spot and ensured that the children returned home safely. “Initially, it was planned to catch the animal with the help of nets, but this idea was dropped after the leopard was noticed under a thicket on the campus,” the official added.

Tirupathur Collector K Tharpagaraj, accompanied by Superintendent of Police Albert John and Forest Department staff, rushed to the school to coordinate the operation and to ensure the safety of the people.

Meanwhile, a man was injured in an attack by the leopard and he has been admitted to hospital for treatment, the forest official said.

Later, at a press conference, the Collector reiterated that all efforts are being made to capture the leopard with the help of Forest Department staff, who have confirmed the leopard’s movement and are closely monitoring it. “The animal keeps changing its location whenever an attempt is made to capture it,” he told reporters here.

Taking into account the safety of students, the district administration has asked all schools to declare three-day holiday, he said, adding that no activity of any sort should be undertaken on the school premises during this period.

Asked about the condition of the man attacked by the leopard, the Collector said he is being treated at a hospital and there is no threat to his life.