Leopard movement sparks panic in Erode’s Chennimalai, camera traps installed

The movement of a leopard in human habitations and its continued attacks on cattle have triggered panic among residents of Chennimalai. In response, the Forest Department has installed camera traps at 10 locations and deployed special teams for round-the-clock monitoring.

Leopard sightings have been frequent outside the Chennimalai forest area in recent months.

The animal has been preying on livestock in nearby plantations, killing goats, dogs, and calves, leaving farmers and villagers fearful. Though the department had set up two cages to trap the leopard alive, the animal evaded capture and continued its attacks. On August 31, farmers staged a protest in Veppili, urging the department to take swift action to capture the leopard and protect both livestock and the public.

On Monday (September 1, 2025), fresh panic gripped farmers after a leopard reportedly swam across the Lower Bhavani Project canal and entered a plantation at Thattankadu near Veppili.

Moorthy, a resident, spotted animal footprints along a pathway in his field and alerted officials. A forest team inspected the site and confirmed them to be leopard pugmarks.

Officials said the leopard had crossed both the Veppili–Ayyampalayam road and the water-filled canal. The fact that it swam across the canal has heightened fears among locals.

Following the incident, the department installed additional camera traps in Thattankadu and surrounding areas. Similar surveillance measures were recently introduced in the Chennimalai forest to monitor the leopard’s movements.