The Forest Department on Friday (October 23) clarified that three leopards, including the one responsible for a man’s death, were caught in cages in the Hasanur Forest Reserve of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in Erode district on Thursday. The other two animals are cubs aged about a year.
According to a press release issued by STR Deputy Director (Hasanur Forest Division) Yogesh Kumar Garg, V. Periyasamy from Bungalow Thotti was found dead along a stream near the forest fringes on October 4. After the Forest Department confirmed that he had been killed in a leopard attack, surveillance in the area was intensified.
Following directions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the Chief Wildlife Warden, cages were placed at two locations to capture the leopard. A cage was installed between the gas agency and Bunk Thottam on October 18, and another at P.K.P.N. Thottam on October 21.
Two leopard cubs, aged about a year, were captured in the first cage around 5 a.m. on October 22, and a male leopard, aged 5-6 years, was captured in the second cage around 6.45 a.m.
A Forest Department veterinarian examined all three animals and found them to be in good health. They were subsequently released into the dense forest, a press release said.
The Forest Department had on Thursday announced that only one leopard had been captured, stating that further details would be available on Friday.
Published - October 23, 2026 07:52 pm IST