The increasing man-animal conflicts seem to be making evident the fact that the city is fast losing its forest cover to the unmindfulness of urbanisation. The recent incident of an adult leopard straying into a school and attacking five people before it was tranquilised and caught on Sunday was a reminder. But the scare of leopards has made authorities in the Whitefield area on the outskirts of Bengaluru close the school on Wednesday.
The news of sighting of two more leopards in the same area in and around Whitefield in east Bengaluru has sent panic wave around the thickly populated area. However, forest officials said leopard sightings were just a speculation.
According to Chief Wildlife Warden Ravi Ralph it was only a speculative fear. He said, “No leopard was seen or traced in and around the school by our forest staff after a night-long search operation. However, the school remains shut as part of precautionary measure.”
The Karnataka forest department has now taken social media to educate the masses on leopard. “We are launching an online platform to spread awareness on leopards and other animals who may enter villages, towns or cities stealthily but do not harm them as they are not man-eaters like tigers,” Ralph said.
“With forest fringes, lakes and other water bodies disappearing, wild animals are finding it difficult to hunt prey and get water to sustain,” Ralph said
As rumours of another leopard sighting spread causing panic, the Vibgyor International School declared a holiday for its over 1,000 students and faculty members to ensure their safety.
“We decided to shut the school for the day (Wednesday). Those who turned up with their wards were advised to return home,” school official told reporters.