A leopard was spotted near a private gas bank on Ottanchatram bypass road near Dharapuram, Tiruppur district. The sighting has caused panic among local residents and prompted a search operation.
Coimbatore: Residents of Dharapuram in Tiruppur district are in a state of panic following a leopard sighting near the town. The incident occurred on the Ottanchatram bypass road, opposite to Olakkadai, where a private gas bank is located.
Sivakumar, a 40-year-old resident of Dharapuram, spotted the leopard near the gas bank. He immediately informed the Dharapuram police station about the sighting. Responding to the information, head constables Karuppusamy and Sekar from the Dharapuram police station visited the site to investigate.
After the initial inspection, the police informed the Kangeyam Forest Range Officer about the incident. Forest Range Officer Mounika, along with Forest Guard Gunasekaran and Forest Watcher Poorani, conducted a thorough examination of the area near the private gas bank. They searched for any signs or traces left by the leopard and questioned Sivakumar, who reported the sighting, to gather more details about the animal's appearance and movement.
The area where the leopard was spotted is close to several villages, including Rangam Palayam, Karuvelampallam, Aachiyur, Mangalam Palayam, Koneripatti, and Thulukkanur. These villages primarily depend on agriculture and livestock farming for their livelihood, raising concerns about the safety of both residents and animals.
Forest officials are currently conducting extensive searches in various locations to find any paw prints or other evidence of the leopard's presence. The incident has created a significant stir in the Dharapuram area, with residents expressing concern for their safety and that of their livestock.
Local authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant and report any further sightings or suspicious movements to the police or forest department immediately. They have also urged people to avoid venturing into isolated areas, especially during early morning and late evening hours when wild animals are more likely to be active.