Bengaluru Turns into a Wild Forest – “We decided to shut the school for the day (Wednesday). Those who turned up with their wards were advised to return home,” a school official told.
A surprise entry of an eight-year-old leopard into the school early on Sunday and its rescue after a 12-hour operation in which five people were injured has shocked people in Bengaluru.
A leopard scare gripped areas in and around Whitefield, east Bengaluru, with three big cats being reportedly spotted on Tuesday evening, two days after one large feline was captured after it entered a school and injured five persons in the locality.
Forest and police authorities said pugmarks point to the presence of one big cat at Nallurhalli, 20 km from the city centre. But locals around Vibgyor High Marathahalli in Thubarahalli, off HAL Airport Road, said two leopards tried to enter the Silver Oak apartment complex in the area.
As the news of another leopard sighting spread causing panic, the Vibgyor International School declared a holiday for its over 1,000 students and faculty members to ensure their safety.
A forest official said they had received information about the probable presence of two leopards in the eucalyptus plantation near Vibgyor High.”We have asked vets from the Bannerghatta Biological Park to come with tranquillizers. But it will be difficult to conduct any operation during night.Public have started bursting crackers and are walking around with torchlights in their hand. Mob control has become a difficult task,” she added.
Kariyappa, of ficial with Bengaluru Urban forest division, said they got information from locals that a few lorry drivers had spotted the leopard.”We will carry out a fullfledged rescue operation on Wednesday,” he added.
“We are launching an online platform to spread awareness on leopards and other animals who may enter villages, towns or cities stealthily but do not harm them as they are not man-eaters like tigers,” said Karnataka chief wildlife warden Ravi Ralph.
“With forest fringes, lakes and other water bodies disappearing for various reasons, wild animals are finding it difficult to hunt for prey and get water to sustain,” Ralph said.
The leopard which was tranquilised and captured had strayed into the city’s eastern suburb on Sunday through bushes, boulders, hills and thick plantations across the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border in search of prey and water.
As it was a holiday, students and teachers were lucky to have escaped from being attacked by the wild animal.
Source: TOI
