Camera traps were set up at Karuppam and Pulani areas of Vazhachal forest on Monday following the appearance of a leopard in the area.
Residents of Meloor panchayat had reported that a leopard was sighted in the area. Some of the locals had stated that two leopard cubs were also spotted. Foresters had confirmed that the pugmark found in the area was that of a leopard.
Camera traps were installed in the areas through which the animal was likely to move. Four cages for trapping the animal have also been installed with dogs as baits, said Abdul Nassar Kunju, Divisional Forest Officer, Vazhachal.
Dogs were used as the bait as they were the preferred preys of leopards, he said.
The forest officials were in the process of setting up camera traps in other parts of the forest as part of the tiger monitoring programme. The number of trap cages was increased to four from two following a meeting convened by the authorities in the region the other day. It was in the villages located at least 4 km away from the forest that the presence of the animal was reported.
Though the residents had reported sighting the leopards, no instances of the animals attacking human beings or killing of dogs or cattle have been reported from the area. The residents of the area had stated that the number of stray dogs had come down sharply in the region indicating that the leopards might be preying on them. However, no evidence of dog lifting including parts of the animal carcass and bones could be traced from the region, he said.
The Forest department has cautioned the residents to exercise caution and be on the guard while moving out during late evening hours though no incidents of leopards coming directly into conflict with human beings was reported. It was also suggested not to let children move out alone. They were asked to move in groups and not to provoke the animals if they sight them, he said.
Incidentally, the Forest officials had translocated a leopard that fell into a well in the area during the first week of the month. The animal, which was tranquillised, was later released at Thuthampara forest near Nelliyampathy after keeping it in observation for a few days, said Mr. Kunju.
The animal was not radio-collared to track its movement as no such facility was available in the State.
