The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has stepped up surveillance operations in Kannamoochi village near Kolathur in Mettur, following a spate of livestock killings that officials suspect may have been carried out by a leopard. More than 10 goats, two calves, and several dogs are reported to have been killed in recent attacks, triggering widespread anxiety among residents living close to the forest boundary.

What Triggered the Alert

Forest Department personnel visited the affected areas after villagers lodged complaints and examined the circumstances surrounding each animal death. Officials say that while the presence of a leopard has not yet been conclusively confirmed, the nature and pattern of the attacks point strongly to the movement of a large wild predator in the locality. Hens and dogs are also believed to have fallen prey to the suspected animal, broadening the scope of the threat.

According to officials, the animal may have strayed from the adjoining Erode Forest Reserve into Kannamoochi in search of prey, possibly after failing to find sufficient food within the forest. Mettur Forest Range Officer Sengottaiyan noted that Kannamoochi is a relatively small village encircled by a substantial stretch of forest, with 717 hectares of forest land situated in and around the area — offering a natural corridor for wildlife moving from the Erode reserve.

Surveillance Measures Deployed

As a precautionary response, the Forest Department has installed cages at five strategic locations in and around the village to trap the animal safely. Camera traps have been set up at multiple points to record movement, confirm the species, and map the areas frequented by the animal. Forest personnel are conducting round-the-clock patrols across the village, adjoining agricultural fields, and forest fringes.

Notably, this is not an isolated concern — human-wildlife conflict along forest boundaries in Tamil Nadu has been a recurring challenge, particularly in districts bordering the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and adjoining forest ranges. Incidents of leopards entering farmlands in search of livestock have been documented periodically across the state.

Advisory to Residents

Officials are actively gathering information from villagers regarding animal sightings, unusual sounds, and fresh footprints near the settlement. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and to avoid travelling alone near the forest boundary during early morning and late evening hours — peak periods for large cat activity. Farmers have also been instructed to confine goats, calves, and other livestock within secure enclosures at night to reduce the risk of further losses.

What Happens Next

Officials confirmed that surveillance operations will continue until the suspected animal is positively identified and safely captured. The department said additional precautions are being taken both to prevent further livestock deaths and to safeguard the lives of people residing near the forest fringe. The outcome of camera trap footage is expected to be the critical first step in confirming the species and determining the course of action.