Leopard Task Force on high alert with the onset of winter

LTF established by State govt to address leopard attacks; 547 complaints since Feb; 46 leopards captured, micro-chipped & released; sightings & complaints to rise Nov onwards; leopards adaptable, diversified diet; microchips help ascertain if captured earlier; rare for leopards to attack humans; contact LTF for assistance.

The onset of winter is set to see a perceptible increase in leopard sightings in the region and a consequent rise in calls or complaints from the public seeking assistance from the Leopard Task Force.

The LTF was established by the State government early this year after a series of leopard attacks were reported with as many as 4 human deaths in T. Narsipur taluk between October 2022 and January 2023.

Mysuru, Nanjangud, H.D. Kote, Sargur, T. Narsipur, Mandya, Pandvapura, Nagamangala or some of the regions with high number of leopard sightings and this is also evident in the number of complaints received for assistance from the LTF since February this year.

‘’In all, 547 complaints have been received by the LTF since February 1, 2023 when the task force came into being and the maximum number of calls came from Mysuru taluk from where 219 complaints were registered. This was followed by K.R. Nagar with 87 complaints, T. Narsipur with 49 complaints and Pandavpura with 42 complaints,’’ said Sourabh Kumar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mysuru.

In addition, as many as 46 leopards have been captured from close to human habitation or from villages and translocated or released back into the wild or shifted to a rehabilitation centre since April 1, 2023, he added.

He said that going by the past trends, the sightings and complaints are expected to go up from November onwards and the LTF will have its hands full.

‘’The increase in leopard sightings coincides with the sugarcane harvesting season and the spotted cats which tend to take refuge in the thickets get exposed,’’ said Sourabh Kumar.