Officials launch operation to trap leopard

The Mandya district administration on Wednesday launched an operation to capture a leopard that killed a farmer at Valagerahalli in Maddur taluk.

Two cages have been placed by the Forest Department at Valagerahalli and Adaganahalli in Maddur, and a helpline has been established by the police. The leopard killed V. Shivaraj Karadigowda (57) of Valagerahalli on Monday.

Special teams

The district administration has formed six special teams to trap the leopard. Tranquiliser guns, veterinary surgeons and other facilities have been provided to the teams, sources told The Hindu .

Police, revenue and forest department officials visited Valagerahalli, Adaganahalli Niluvagilu, Chamanahalli, Belathur and Hemmanahalli on Wednesday. The villagers informed the officials that the leopard and two cubs have been roaming in the vicinity of Valagerahalli for several days. Village residents have been advised not to venture into areas where pugmarks have been found.

Meanwhile, residents noticed the pugmarks of an adult leopard, near Rampura, in Maddur taluk on Wednesday morning. “We will place a cage at Rampura and take measures to trap the wild cat,” a forest department official said.

Helpline

The Police Department has asked people to call the helpline number 9480804800 if they spotted pugmarks or leopards.

Compensation

The State government has sanctioned Rs. 3 lakh as compensation to Mr. Shivaraj’s family.

D.C. Thammanna, Maddur MLA, handed over the cheque to the wife of the deceased on Wednesday.