Leopard suspected of killing girl captured; TTD plans to give sticks to Tirumala devotees for safety

Related: TTD beefs up security along Alipiri footpath route

Leopard caught

TTD forest officials, who launched a joint operation with the Andhra Pradesh forest department to trap the wild feline, said the over-five-year-old leopardess was shifted to the Sri Venkateswara (SV) Zoological Park.

Officials said three traps were placed between the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple and Ghanta Mandapam in the Seshachala forests to snare the beast. The girl’s body was found in this area.

Authorities said only a DNA test would reveal if the same animal had killed Lakshita of Nellore. The girl was visiting the hilltop temple with her parents when the leopard dragged her away.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shanthi Priya Pandey said DNA samples from the feline had been sent for testing. A decision on whether to release the animal back into the wild would be taken after receiving the result.

“If it is established that the same leopard had mauled the girl to death, we will look for alternatives like shifting her to the zoo. Once it is established that a wild cat has eaten human flesh, it will not be re-introduced into the wild,” she said.

Meanwhile, TTD and forest department officials sighted leopards at five places, including three places near Alipiri to Galigopuram, near Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy (LNS) temple, and at the 38th Curve on Saturday night.

Also read: Leopard kills 6-year-old Andhra girl on Tirupati temple route

TTD to deploy trained guards

TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy has already 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 Monday evening.

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 throw away or dump food waste. As many 500 CCTV cameras were 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, 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.

Also read: Forest officials catch leopard that attacked 3-year-old in Tirumala