Leopard attack: Forest dept warns public against entering conflict zones

Mysuru: After a leopard mauled a 21-year-old student to death in a protected area near T Narasipura on Monday, forest officials have intensified awareness among the public in places of man-leopard conflicts in Mysuru and Mandya districts.
Situations in every conflict area are reviewed closely to prevent repeat of any such incidents. Public and residents are informed not to move around alone, especially late in the evening and early in the day as precaution in places where leopards are frequently sighted or have caused harm to livestock and pets.
Chief conservator of forests, Mysuru circle, Malathi Priya M said Monday’s incident happened in a deemed forest area located on a hillock. As the temple is situated on the Ukkalagere Hills, the public are allowed to visit the worshipping place to offer prayers. The victim may have been left behind by a group of his friends that resulted in the incident, which is unfortunate, she said.
The forest department has been on alert every time it receives a call from the public about sightings of leopards in their neighbourhood. “We rush our (department) personnel to the spot and the situation is assessed. Cages are places to trap the big cats. In the last three months, 14 big cats have been rescued from conflict areas, including two in Mandya district,” said Priya.
We have adequate staff, infrastructure – cages, and if necessary we summon personnel from neighbouring Bandipur for any rescue operation, she said.
Additional cages ordered
Owing to the increasing man-leopard conflicts in the region, the forest department has ordered for additional cages that are specially designed to trap big cats near human habitats.
The IFS officer said the department has sent proposal for 10 additional cages for rescue operation of big cats in the region. The cages are likely to arrive within a month’s time.
The specially-designed cages are used to lay traps to catch trouble-causing big cats. They’re useful in rescue operations, the officer stated.