Residents and devotees in the temple town of Srisailam, Tirupati, were left in a state of alarm after a wild leopard entered a human settlement in the early hours of Friday. The incident, which marks the second such occurrence at the same location, has heightened concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the area bordering the dense Nallamala forest.
CCTV Footage Captures Midnight Visitor
The dramatic event unfolded around midnight when the big cat stealthily emerged from the nearby forest cover. It entered the backyard of a local resident, Satya Narayana, whose house is situated close to the Pathala Ganga area. This zone is known for frequent movement of wild animals from the forest to the human habitations.
The entire movement of the leopard was recorded by the CCTV cameras installed at Narayana's property. According to local accounts, this was not the first time a leopard had been spotted on his premises, indicating a potential pattern or a corridor used by the animals.
Official Response and Public Warning
After videos of the Friday incident began circulating widely on social media, authorities swiftly took notice. Personnel from the local police and the forest department examined the CCTV footage and conducted a thorough inspection of the surroundings to assess the situation.
Following their investigation, officials have issued a stern caution to the community. They have advised locals and devotees against venturing out alone during the night and early morning hours, when such animals are most active. The advisory aims to prevent any dangerous encounters.
Recurring Incidents Highlight Growing Concern
The fact that this is the second recorded instance of a leopard at this specific house points to a deeper issue of shrinking wildlife habitats and increasing interface. The Nallamala forest is a rich ecosystem, and such incidents underscore the challenges of coexistence in regions where human settlements border protected forest areas.
While no injuries or attacks were reported this time, the incident has successfully instilled fear and prompted calls for more proactive measures from wildlife authorities to ensure the safety of both people and animals in the Srisailam region.
