Leopard kill sparks fresh fear in MM Hills, Cauvery sanctuaries

Mysuru: Fresh tension has gripped the Cauvery and MM Hills wildlife sanctuaries after a 10-year-old boy from Bengaluru was mauled to death by a leopard early on Sunday, triggering fears among residents and pilgrims that it could be the same animal responsible for killing a 31-year-old farmer on a trekking path in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in January.Forest authorities, however, have ruled out the possibility. Officials said the leopard captured after the farmer's death was removed from the area and shifted to a conservation facility. They cited the considerable distance between the two locations, arguing that it was unlikely the same animal was involved in both attacks.Experts maintained that the link cannot be completely ruled out, as it has not been scientifically established whether the captured leopard was indeed the one involved in the earlier killing. MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary deputy conservator of forests B Bhaskar told TOI that a leopard was spotted and rescued from the same location a day after the January incident and later housed in a zoo. Trekking hours were subsequently revised, and no further incidents were reported until Sunday.He said the latest attack occurred in the adjoining Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the other side of the forest. Retired veterinarian D N Nagaraj said it was difficult to conclusively determine whether the same leopard was involved, but noted that big cats tend to repeat attacks once such behaviour begins.The incident has also sparked debate, as leopards are known to cover long distances while searching for territory, prey, or shelter. Wildlife experts said such movement is not unusual, and confirming whether both attacks involved the same animal would require scientific evidence such as camera-trap images, pugmark analysis, or DNA tests.Trekking haltedFollowing Sunday's incident, forest authorities have suspended trekking to hill shrines in both sanctuaries. This is the second human death caused by a leopard in the hill region within four months. Bhaskar said drone teams are combing forest stretches along trekking routes, and trekking from Talubetta to MM Hills has been stopped.Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary deputy conservator of forests MC Surendra said trekking from MM Hills to Nagamale has also been suspended, and staff are combing the area in search of the big cat.BOXProtest at MM Hills Karnataka State Farmers' Association and local residents held a protest at MM Hills on Monday, accusing the forest department of negligence following a recent leopard attack that resulted in the death of a boy. They demanded immediate action for the safety of devotees and villagers.Protesters expressed anger, highlighting the growing threat of wild animals in the hills and Nagamale area, which poses a risk to the lives of devotees and villagers.