Leopard Spotted on Tirumala First Ghat Road, Sparks Panic Among Devotees
TTD restricts two-wheeler movement, steps up patrols after leopard is seen near Vinayaka Temple
Tirupati: Panic gripped devotees and locals after a leopard was spotted on the first ghat road connecting Tirupati and Tirumala on Monday night.
A video of the leopard, which surfaced on social media platforms, shows the wild cat running along the road before leaping over a parapet wall and disappearing into the dense forest.
The incident occurred near the Vinayaka Temple. A group of devotees travelling from Tirumala to Tirupati recorded the sighting on their mobile phones. The video captures the leopard jumping onto the road, sprinting on the parapet wall, and then leaping back over the wall into the woods.
Following the circulation of the video, TTD officials have swung into action. Devotees travelling along the ghat roads were alerted and movement of two-wheelers was restricted as a safety measure.
The TTD forest wing stepped up patrolling in the area and deployed surveillance units along the first ghat road and the fringes of the Tirumala hill town. Officials said they would closely monitor the situation and urged devotees to remain cautious while travelling on the ghat roads.
This was not the first time wildlife sightings have been reported in the Tirumala region, which is surrounded by dense forests forming part of the Seshachalam Hills. Forest officials are also assessing the possibility of the leopard venturing close to the Alipiri trekking path in search of food or water.
