Tirupati, August 8: The panther that had sent a shiver down the spine of devotees to the Tirumala temple by attacking two girl kids, has been caught by the forest department.
On June 27 night, a panther grabbed 3-year-old Kokila who was ultimately saved by her valiant father. It was feared that the man-eater might strike again and night travel along the Tirupati hills was suspended and efforts taken to trap it.
But on July 31, six-year-old Kalyani was attacked while she was climbing the hill around Midnight. Hearing the screams of her family, the panther abandoned the child and disappeared into the jungle.
Now the forest department got earnest to trap the man-eater. It set up iron cages in five places along the way where it was last seen and the bait – live dogs - tied to them.
A female panther was found caught in the cage set up at the 36th hairpin bend. The forest department officials believe that the panther is about seven years old. The animal will be given treatment for the injuries it suffered while trying to break free from the cage. It will be let off in a forest area in Kurnool district, about 400 km from Tirupati, to prevent it from returning to the temple town.
The officials also assured that they would be going after other panthers that are rumoured to be roaming the Tirupati hills.
|