Leopard sparks panic at Nilambur MSP camp, guard fires in air to escape
A police constable on night guard duty narrowly escaped an attack by firing two shots into the air, forcing the animal to retreat into a nearby teak plantation.
A police constable on night guard duty narrowly escaped an attack by firing two shots into the air, forcing the animal to retreat into a nearby teak plantation.
A police constable on night guard duty narrowly escaped an attack by firing two shots into the air, forcing the animal to retreat into a nearby teak plantation.
Nilambur: Panic gripped the MSP camp in Nilambur when a leopard strayed into the residential quarters in the early hours of Sunday. A police constable on night guard duty narrowly escaped an attack by firing two shots into the air, forcing the animal to retreat into a nearby teak plantation.
The incident occurred around 2 AM when the leopard suddenly appeared close to the sentry post. Startled to see the animal close by, the guard opened fire in the air, scaring the predator away.
A search operation carried out later in the day revealed the half-eaten carcass of a porcupine inside the camp premises. Forest officials, who reached the spot and carried out an inspection, later confirmed the presence of a leopard after examining claw marks in the area.
The MSP camp, situated barely 500 metres from Nilambur town, lies within a densely populated human settlement that includes police quarters and among them, the residence of the DySP. The camp is flanked on two sides by teak plantations of the Forest Department, with the Chaliyar river running along the other side. Across the river, the natural forests of Edakkodu provide a wildlife corridor.
Recent weeks have seen rising evidence of leopard activity in nearby Kovilakathummuri Vattappoyil, where two pet dogs went missing. One carcass has since been recovered. Adding to the concerns, wild elephants are also frequent visitors to the area.
Divisional Forest Officer P Dhanesh Kumar said a Rapid Response Force has been deployed to patrol the police camp and Vattappoyil, where leopard presence has been confirmed. Instructions have been issued to clear thick undergrowth along forest borders, and camera traps will soon be installed to monitor animal movement, he added.