Ops to capture 5 tigers under way in Chamarajanagar; Leopards spotted in Gundlupet, Holenarsipur and Vijayapura villages

CHAMARAJANAGAR, HASSAN, VIJAYAPURA: After five tigers wre spotted around Nanjedevanapura village, causing panic among locals, the Forest department used a drone to capture footage of the tigers on Sunday night, and an operation to capture them was launched on Monday.

Locals from Nanjedevanapura, Udigala and Veeranapura villages have been warned not to venture into their fields. MLA Puttaranga Shetty visited the site, discussed the issue with officials, and informed CM Siddaramaiah and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre about the situation. He requested additional drones and veterinary support.

Five tigers were spotted on a CCTV camera installed on a farm.

Forest officials initially suggested driving the tigers back into the forest, but locals insist on capturing them. Minister Khandre has promised to send a team to assist in the operation. The area has been cordoned off, and prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been imposed.

Elephant-mounted teams are being prepared for the operation, with two elephants, Eshwar and Lakshmana, arriving from Dubare Harangi elephant camp. The tigers seem to have made the abandoned quarries their habitat, and locals are getting anxious. The Forest department is working on capturing them safely.

MLA Puttaranga Shetty visited the site and said, “Three years ago, tigers started appearing in this area, but they didn’t trouble anyone. They were hunting deer, pigs, and even cattle. Initially, officials thought it was a leopard, but now it’s clear they’re tigers”.

MLA Puttaranga Shetty briefed the CM and the environment minister.

“Over the past month, tiger sightings have increased. There are five tigers near Anemaduvikere. People are scared, and forest officials are struggling to manage the situation. They need more resources, equipment, and drones. We’ll get a thermal drone from MSIL and capture the tigers. We’ll relocate them safely”, he assured.

Meanwhile, a leopard was spotted in a quarry in Gundlupet taluk, causing concern among locals. The leopard’s presence has been captured on mobile phone cameras in Madhalli hill area.

Two years ago, a quarry collapse in the same area resulted in the death of two workers, leading to a ban on mining activities. Since then, the area has apparently become a habitat for leopards, sparking fear among locals

In Hassan district, a leopard and its cubs were spotted near farms in Dalagowdanahalli village, Holenarasipur taluk, causing concern among locals. The leopard, with its cubs, has been seen near Vasantaiah’s house in the village for the past three nights.

Residents are anxious as the leopard had previously attacked dogs and calves in the area. With the leopard now having cubs, farmers are hesitant to venture into their fields to harvest crops like ragi and maize. Locals are urging the forest department to set up a cage and capture the leopard, as they’re worried about their safety

In Vijayapura district, tesidents of Taddiwadi village are up in arms over the frequent leopard attacks on their livestock. Despite repeated incidents, the forest department seems to be dragging its feet, they allege.

The latest attack occurred on Sunday, claiming another animal’s life. Villagers are anxious and demand immediate action to capture the leopard. The leopard has been terrorizing Taddiwadi and Manakalmagi villages for a while now, targeting domestic animals.

Locals have urged the authorities to launch a concerted effort to track and capture the leopard, putting an end to the menace.