The residents of Valparai are struck in fear as two leopards attacked a buffalo calf near a tea estate.
Selvi, a resident of Kanjamalai Estate area was rearing cattle in a area close to her residence. Unexpectedly, two leopards that were hiding amidst the bushes pounced on a buffalo calf. Appalled by the sight of big cats, Selvi's son screamed out of fear. Hearing the noise, the leopards just fed on the blood of the calf and left the carcass at the same place.
Upon receiving information, the forest department officials rushed to the location and inquired about the incident to the Selvi and her Son. The Veterinary Doctor conducted an autopsy, and the remains of the calf were buried at the same place.
The natives when speaking about the attack said, “As the bushes are dense near the estates the wild animals could not be spotted. Hence, we have been requesting the estate management to remove the bushes. Recently, the residents complaint of foul-smell in an area close to the town, upon searching they found that a decayed carcass of a two-year-old buffalo calf which was attacked by a leopard. This proves that leopard has begun to penetrate into all areas in Valparai and in the past few Childrens' have also become victims to leopard attacks. Hence, we are struck in fear and unrest prevails in our region because of leopard movement'.
The Residents of Valparai have requested the Forest Officials to install cage to trap the leopard so that the natives and their livestock could be safeguarded.
However a Source shared that, 'Such attacks could get worse because the fodder for the leopards which are mostly deers and Nilgris tahr have migrated to other places due to scarcity of grass and greens. Hence, the big cats are unable to find their usual fodder inside the forests which makes them trespass into villages and prey on cow, sheep, hen and dogs. Only if the vegetation bounces back to normalcy, this man animal conflict could be contained'.
