Forest Department steps up leopard surveillance in Thalavadi Hills

With leopards repeatedly preying on livestock in villages in the Thalavadi Hills, the Forest Department has intensified surveillance in abandoned stone quarries suspected to be serving as daytime hideouts for the animals.

Fear has gripped residents of Soosaipuram village following repeated leopard sightings and livestock depredation in recent days. According to Forest Department sources, abandoned stone quarries in the village, now covered with dense vegetation, are believed to be providing shelter for the leopards. Local residents claimed that as many as four leopards, along with their cubs, have been frequenting the area.

The animals are believed to emerge from the quarries after dusk and use a nearby drainage channel to enter agricultural fields in search of prey. Farmers alleged that goats, poultry, and guard dogs have been killed in the attacks. In the past few days, leopards reportedly entered farms in the village and preyed on livestock and domestic animals.

As concern among residents mounted and demands grew for the animals to be captured and relocated to a dense forest area, the Forest Department stepped up surveillance. Camera traps have been installed at the abandoned quarries, where the leopards are suspected to be sheltering, and in nearby agricultural fields to monitor their movement. Night patrols have also been intensified.

Drone surveillance

Yogesh Kumar Garg, Deputy Director of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and District Forest Officer, Hasanur Forest Division, recently led a team that conducted drone surveillance over the quarry area to assess leopard movement during the daytime.

Forest officials said monitoring would continue and advised residents to avoid venturing into isolated areas after dark and to immediately report leopard sightings to the department.