Residents of Iritty in Kannur district were put on alert after reports of a big cat in and around the villages of Chathiroor and Neelai. The forest department has responded by installing camera traps at the two locations to determine whether a leopard is present and to reduce the risk of human–animal conflict.
Forest officials said that no images of a leopard were recorded on the first day the cameras were active. Teams will continue round-the-clock monitoring until they are satisfied the area is safe. The initial precaution follows complaints from villagers who said they had seen a cat in the vicinity and reported attacks on two pet dogs.
Iritty leopard sighting response and measures
The decision to deploy camera traps followed a meeting chaired by V. Shobha, president of Aralam panchayat, attended by local residents, elected representatives and forest department personnel. Villagers pressed for cage traps to capture the animal, but the department advised that traps could be set only after camera footage confirmed the species involved. Community representatives accepted that plan.
Forest staff carried out a field inspection after locals reported fresh paw prints. Officials concluded those prints did not belong to a leopard. Nevertheless, forest personnel from the Kizhappally section maintained late-night patrols in the area to reassure residents and to gather further evidence.
Several local residents, including Robins and Thomas, told authorities they had seen the animal directly. Others, including Binoy of Chundamtad and Thangachan of Puthupparambil, reported that two of their pet dogs had been taken. The complaints prompted the panchayat to convene the meeting and agree immediate defensive measures.
Planned actions include cutting back encroaching scrub and forest fringe that provide cover for predators, completing outstanding repairs to anti-animal works and enhancing the effectiveness of the existing solar fence. Officials have also recommended urgent clearance of privately held patches of forest used by animals to reduce hiding places close to homes.
Authorities reiterated that public safety remains the priority. They asked residents to avoid entering dense forest patches, to keep livestock and pets under supervision, and to report any fresh sightings or signs to the forest department immediately. The department will retain camera traps in Chathiroor and Neelai and maintain patrols until there is no further evidence of a predator posing a threat.
While no confirmed leopard images have emerged so far, the swift coordination between local government, community members and the forest department aims to reduce risk and provide a definitive identification should further evidence appear.
Key Takeaways:
- Iritty leopard sighting leads forest department to install camera traps in Chathiroor and Neelai for monitoring.
- No leopard images were captured on the first day; patrols and checks continue after initial signs were found not to be from a leopard.
- Villagers requested cage trapping but authorities opted for cameras first to identify the species, while clearing undergrowth and improving solar fencing are underway.
- Local leaders and forest staff will maintain surveillance and community reporting until the threat subsides.
