Sighting of two leopards on Marayeepalayam hillock creates panic among residents

Following the sighting of two leopards on the Marayeepalayam hillock in Sathyamangalam taluk, which created panic among local residents, the Forest Department has placed cages and camera traps to track the animals’ movement.

A week ago, residents spotted two leopards on the hillock and alerted the Vilamundi Forest Range Office in the Sathyamangalam Division of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.

Two leopards sighted on the Marayeepalayam hillock in Sathyamangalam taluk in Erode district in Tamil Nadu on Friday.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement.

A Forest Department team visited the area and confirmed the sighting. Three cages and five camera traps were installed, and drone surveillance was intensified. A team of 15 staff members and 10 villagers combed the hillock, but the animals could not be located. Despite continuous monitoring, the leopards remained untraceable.

On Friday (December 5, 2025), the two leopards were again seen at the top of the hillock, moving and resting on the rocks, and the incident was captured by residents. Following this, the Department repositioned the three cages and the five camera traps on the hillock, and a team was deployed to track the movement of the leopards. Since the animals are currently at the top of the hill, efforts are being made to guide them down safely. The public has been requested not to go near the locations where cages have been placed.