It was caught within three days of the second one, following two wild animal attacks on children recently with one resulting in a fatality.
Published Aug 17, 2023 | 1:51 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 17, 2023 | 1:51 PM
The AP forest officials ruled out fencing the forest path since leopards can easily scale them. (Representational image/iStock)
The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, on Thursday, 17 August, captured a leopard — the third one since June this year — from near the footpath area leading to the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, said an official.
The animal was caught near the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple on the way to Tirumala, the official added.
It was caught within three days of the second one, following two wild animal attacks on children recently with the last one resulting in a fatality.
“We have captured a third leopard near Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, where the second was caught. This is a male leopard, aged about five years,” Tirupati divisional forest officer (DFO) A Srinivasulu told PTI.
Similar to the protocol being followed with the captured leopards in Tirumala, Srinivasulu said this one will also be quarantined for up to 10 days at Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park (Tirupati Zoo) and subjected to DNA analysis to check if it had consumed human flesh.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department is still awaiting the DNA analysis report of the second leopard. Analysing both the leopards will ascertain which one had recently attacked the minor girl, he said.
Srinivasulu said the department will continue to monitor animal movements near the footpath leading to Tirumala.
The first leopard, captured after an attack on a boy, was released about 40 km away in Bakarapeta.
Earlier, TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy said the safety and security of devotees were of topmost priority.
The TTD held a high-level meeting with the district administration and forest officials at Sri Padmavathi Rest House in Tirupati on 14 August.
Later, the TTD chairman and Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy told reporters that people with children aged below 12 years would be allowed on the footpath routes only between 5 am and 2 pm. Others would be allowed till 10 pm.
A stick would be provided to each devotee trekking to the temple. Two-wheelers would be allowed on the ghat road only between 6 am and 6 pm.
Forest staff having experience in warding off wild animals would be deployed. Devotees would be allowed only in groups, accompanied by a security guard. Those feeding the animals would face action.
The hoteliers along the footpath routes have been instructed not to dump food waste. As many as 500 CCTV cameras are being installed in both footpath routes and, if necessary, drones, too, would be deployed. Wildlife outposts functioning 24×7 would have animal trackers and doctors.
The TTD would instal focus lights, each lighting up a radius of 30 metres. The TTD officials said the Forest Department has to make a call on fencing the path. Signages warning about wild beasts would be placed at Seventh Mile, Galigopuram, Alipiri, and other places.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shanthi Priya Pandey said fencing would not be feasible since leopards could scale them easily.
Additionally, it would pose a challenge during emergencies. She said the Forest Department would study the data to offer the best possible solution for man-animal conflicts.
(With PTI inputs)
