Leopard scare grips village near Chennimalai

Erode: People in Sillangkutta Valasu near Chennimalai in Erode district have alleged that forest department officials are reluctant to capture a leopard that has been attacking their livestock for the last two weeks. However, officials said they can’t set up a trap with bait without necessary orders.Villagers said the leopard was wandering close to human settlements. "It has killed a goat, a calf and a stray dog," said P Mathaiyan, a resident.Concerned about their safety, the villagers approached Erode forest division officials urging them to capture the leopard. In response, the officials set up five camera traps in various locations to monitor the animal. However, they informed the villagers that they could set the traps with a goat as bait only after receiving permission from the chief wildlife warden.When contacted by TOI, range officer M Sathish said that the villagers had erected goat pens near the forest boundary, which attracted the leopard as it moved around. "Chennimalai is not a suitable habitat for wild animals. So, the leopard may have gone to another forest area in search of food," he said.“We will make every effort to obtain permission from the chief wildlife warden to capture the leopard if it is spotted again or if it attacks any livestock,” he added.