CCTV installed to trap leopard at village in The Nilgiris

According to the Forest department, Manikandan from Goldrock Wood area had let loose his four cows to graze in the morning. Finding one of his cows to be missing, Manikandan set out in search of it in the evening. During the search, he was shocked to stumble on his cow lying dead with bite marks.

Upon receiving information, a team of Forest department staff arrived at the spot and confirmed the cow to have been killed by a leopard. A post mortem was performed on the animal by a veterinarian. The villagers claimed that the leopard, which is believed to have mauled the cow, has been frequently preying on dogs and cattle over the last few weeks. They then urged the Forest department to take efforts to trap the animal. Heeding to their request, the Forest department fixed three CCTV cameras to track the movement of the elusive leopard. The officials have assured villagers that the leopard would be captured after monitoring its movement.

Villagers in Gudalur have also urged the Forest department to take immediate measures to trap a leopard, believed to be visiting their neighbourhood, and have it translocated elsewhere in dense forests. The prowling leopard had reportedly mauled several goats, owned by at least five persons from villages falling under Gudalur taluk, to death over the last one month.