A fatal wildlife attack near the Hasanur Range of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve has triggered an intensive Forest Department operation to identify and track the animal responsible.
Worker Found Dead Near Forest Fringe
The victim, V. Periyasamy, 36, a daily-wage worker from Bungalow Thotti village, was found dead on Sunday, October 4. His partially consumed body was discovered near a stream along the forest fringe in the Hasanur area.
Residents suspect that a leopard may have been responsible, particularly because cattle have reportedly been killed by a carnivore in the area in recent months. However, Forest Department officials have cautioned that the species responsible for the attack has not yet been conclusively established.
Camera Traps and Drones Deployed
Following the incident, the Forest Department has stepped up surveillance around Hasanur. Camera traps have been installed at four strategic locations, while officials are also using drones and intensified night patrols to monitor the movement of carnivores.
A veterinary doctor has reportedly been kept ready so that officials can respond quickly once the animal is identified and located, following the prescribed standard operating procedures.
Villagers Demand Greater Protection
The death has caused considerable anxiety among people living in villages bordering the tiger reserve. Residents say wild animals are increasingly being noticed near settlements, particularly at night.
Following Periyasamy’s death, villagers also protested and demanded stronger protection measures. Some residents alleged that livestock had previously been preyed upon in the area and sought increased patrolling and surveillance. The protest ended after officials assured residents that measures would be intensified.
Forest Department Urges Caution
Authorities have advised people living near the forest boundary to avoid moving outdoors after dark, when encounters with large carnivores are more likely.
For now, the priority is to establish exactly which animal was involved. The incident once again highlights the challenges faced by communities living along the boundaries of major wildlife habitats such as Sathyamangalam, where human settlements, roads and working areas lie close to forests occupied by leopards, tigers and other large mammals.
Source: The Hindu and additional reports from the region.
Leave a Reply