Leopard attacks on livestock spark panic in village near Hasanur forest

Fear has gripped residents of Arepalayam and Ongalwadi near Hasanur following a series of leopard attacks on livestock over the past month.

Residents said the predator has killed four cows, one buffalo, and 10 hens, with farmlands located near the forest boundary being the primary targets. In a particularly alarming incident on June 28, a cow was attacked in broad daylight at Bungalowdoddi, intensifying concerns among villagers. Many locals now hesitate to step out even during the day due to the growing threat of wild animal encounters.

Forest Department officials, meanwhile, have issued warnings, urging residents to avoid venturing into farmlands, especially during nighttime. The Hasanur Forest Division has stepped up round-the-clock patrolling in villages near the reserve forest to prevent wild animals from straying into human settlements.

Yogesh Kumar Garg, District Forest Officer of Hasanur Division and Deputy Director of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), told The Hindu that awareness campaigns are being conducted to advise residents against entering the reserve forest area at night. He said forest staff are continuously monitoring vulnerable areas and have urged the public not to panic.

The Forest Department is also planning drone surveillance during evening hours along the forest boundary to monitor wildlife movement and ensure animals do not stray into villages. As farmlands are located close to the reserve forest, cattle left overnight become easy targets for predators. Hence, locals have been advised not to keep livestock in farmland during nighttime.