LEOPARD SPOTTED AT RAJENDRANAGAR, CREATES PANIC
Walamtari, surrounding areas in Rajendranagar scared
Reports of a leopard again being on the prowl in Rajendranagar area and an eye-witness account of a leopard attacking two cows in the early hours of Monday have spread scare among inhabitants of Walamtari and surrounding areas.
Forest department officials said a preliminary inspection of the location where the leopard “attacked” the cows did not yield any evidence of a big cat presence or pug marks. The caretaker of the cattle, Ahmad, however reiterated that he saw a leopard attacking the cows around 3.15 am on Monday.
Two months ago, in December last, the forest department had trapped a leopard that was found on a road near the Katedan industrial area. It was subsequently released in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. According to Rajendranagar police inspector K. Kanakaiah, the forest department is investigating the incident of leopard sighting. As per Ch Shivaiah, forest divisional officer of Shamshabad, “Our team patrolled the area and did not find any pugmarks. We have placed nine camera traps to try and get a picture of leopard movement in the
THE FOREST officials said they did not find proof of the leopard ‘attacking’ cows as claimed by the local cattle caretaker who said he saw the animal at 3.15 am
area. We will also place trap cages.”
Resident Ragadampalli Shravan said the area where the leopard attack on cows had happened was full of scrubs, with vast campuses of government institutions, open areas and hillocks. “This is an ideal place for a wild animal to take shelter, as most of the other areas around the city have been taken over by real estate agents,” he said.
In-charge district veterinary officer of Vikarabad, V. Sadanandam, said, “These wild animals are scared of humans as also sounds and lights. The leopard might have travelled for the prey and taken the refuge in the hillocks. Leopards usually travel during the nights and can cover a distance of upto 20-30km a night.”
He added, “The Amangal forest areas as well as Vikarabad forests are not far off from Rajendranagar. Amangal is about 30km away and Vikarabad forests 60 km away, distances that a leopard can cover easily under the cover of darkness.”