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Leopard Attack Suspected After Missing Tribal Elder Found Dead in Coimbatore

SimpliCity News Team · 29 Jun 2026

Coimbatore: A 60-year-old tribal man who went missing after entering a forest area under the Periyanaickenpalayam Forest Range in Coimbatore district was found dead on Saturday, with his body partially mutilated. Forest officials suspect that the body may have been attacked by a carnivorous wild animal, possibly a leopard, though they said the exact cause will be confirmed only after the post-mortem examination.

The deceased was identified as Vellingiri (60), a resident of the Moonukuttai tribal settlement under the Periyanaickenpalayam Forest Range. According to officials, he entered the forest around 7.30 p.m. on June 27 but did not return home.

Following a complaint from his family members, officials of the Forest Department, along with residents of the tribal settlement, launched an intensive search operation that continued for two days.

On Saturday afternoon at around 1 p.m., Vellingiri’s body was found about 350 metres from the Moonukuttai settlement inside the Gopanari Reserve Forest.

Based on information from forest officials, personnel from the Karamadai Police reached the spot and commenced an inquiry.

Officials said a significant portion of the body had been mutilated by an unidentified carnivorous wild animal. While a leopard attack is suspected, they clarified that it is too early to determine whether the injuries were caused before or after death. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and the exact cause of death will be known only after the autopsy report is received.

The Forest Department has advised tribal residents and others living in forest fringe villages to avoid venturing into forest areas during night hours and to remain vigilant as a precautionary measure.

forest tribal leopard wildlife death coimbatore

Leopard Attack Suspected After Missing Tribal Elder Found Dead in Coimbatore

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