Hyderabad: Residents of Kothapalli village, Yacharam mandal in Ranga Reddy district, around 50 kilometers from Hyderabad, are in the grips of a leopard scare.
The leopard, which has been sighted a few times by the villagers, has even killed and devoured a few goats and dogs in the village. Forest department officials have recorded pug marks of the leopard and have set up a trap to catch the animal.
Forest range officer of the anti-poaching division of Telangana forest department, Mr Mallikarjun Naik said, “The village is located close to hillocks a few kilometers away from a reserved forest. The hillocks are a good hiding spot for leopards. Leopards usually wander into villages in search of food and water. It has been around one week since the leopard made its last kill in the village and we expect it to visit again soon. Usually if a leopard makes a kill and eats it, it will not venture again for around four-five days.”
