The ‘sighting’ of two leopards on the sprawling campus of CSIR-CFTRI in the heart of Mysuru city in the early hours of Wednesday triggered panic, even as a holiday was declared for the CFTRI School located on the campus as a precautionary measure.
A CFTRI security person claimed to have spotted the animals around 1.30 a.m. during night rounds. On seeing the wild cats found strolling on the road between the CFTRI School and a nearby building, the security guard alerted the CFTRI authorities, who informed the Forest Department and the police.
Deputy Commissioner K.V. Rajendra, Deputy Conservator of Forest Mahesh Kumar, and jurisdictional police officers rushed to the campus following the scare, and to take stock of the situation. Measures have been taken for trapping the two cats.
Mr Mahesh Kumar told The Hindu that cages and six camera traps have been deployed. The forest personnel carried out combing operations but found no pug marks in and around the spot where the leopards were sighted. “The security person said that he saw two leopards on the road.”
The number of camera traps will go up by 20 on Thursday and a team will be camping inside the campus in the wake of the sighting.
“Prima facie it seems that the guard has sighted the animals. His narration appeared that he saw the wild cats. Until we get some evidence about his claim, certain precautions need to be taken and the same have been communicated to the staff,” the DCF said.
The CFTRI security personnel have been asked not to carry out night rounds alone and remain in a group or at least in pairs, especially near the abandoned buildings and unattended land. They have been asked to carry some sticks while on the night rounds as a safety measure.
“We have asked the CFTRI administration to deploy CCTV cameras around the campus. The institute students have been told to remain cautious and indoors at night. There is no need to panic but caution is required until we get a clarity on the situation,” Mr. Kumar said.
The forest officials have told the CFTRI administration that the school can function from Thursday taking some precautions.
“All rooms in the school have to be locked at night and opened only in the mornings. After a detailed screening of each room, the students should be allowed inside the school. The children can remain indoors and the outdoor games can be put off for some days,” the DCF said, after speaking to the staff.
Students working in the labs have been told to be cautious and lock the labs from inside.
The administration has also been told to ensure that the waste generated in hostels was properly disposed of so that it does not attract dogs.
Security personnel carrying out a search on the CSIR-CFTRI campus in Mysuru following the reported sighting of a leopard pair by a guard in the early hours of Wednesday. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram
