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Leopard Sighting Sparks Fear in Tirupati Neighborhoods
10 Jul
Summary
- Leopard captured on CCTV roaming residential area in Tirupati.
- Rapid urban expansion is shrinking habitats between wildlife and homes.
- Poor waste management attracts prey, drawing leopards closer to colonies.
Residents of Upadhyay Nagar in Tirupati experienced alarm on Friday night when a leopard from the Seshachalam forest was spotted roaming a main road, captured on CCTV. This incident underscores the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the region, driven by unchecked urban development pushing residential areas closer to wildlife habitats.
Colonies have significantly expanded into forest fringe areas, leading to increased animal movement. Forest department officials attribute this to urbanization and inadequate waste management, as food waste attracts prey like stray dogs and feral pigs, which then attract leopards. This ecological imbalance also affects wildlife, with deer and wild boars frequently entering residential zones, facing dangers from stray dogs and traffic.
Authorities are intensifying awareness campaigns and warning against trespassing. Environmentalists emphasize the need for improved waste management, protected forest boundaries, and planned urban development to mitigate conflict and conserve the Seshachalam ecosystem.
