Two leopards spotted in Vellore, forest dept officials step up vigil

VELLORE: Forest officials from Tirupattur are camping at Velakalnatham in Vellore following news that two leopards were spotted there on Monday. Residents in the area have been warned against venturing out at night.
Tirupattur forest ranger D Paramasivam said residents of Velakalnatham spotted two leopards near a hillock on Sunday and alerted the department. The next morning, 10 personnel arrived at the spot.
Late on Monday night, the forest department personnel spotted the leopards and, along with villagers, set off fireworks and chased the cats into the forest.
While revenue officials campaigned in the village during day hours, the forest department personnel guarded the area at night to monitor their movement. Youngsters from the village assisted the forest department personnel in keeping vigil.
Paramasivam said the animals could have strayed into the village from Dhuruvamalai in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. "The animals will move into the forest if not disturbed. We have alerted the villagers about the situation."
He said they would remain in the village until they were sure the big cats had returned to their habitat.