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Leopard Linked to Fatal M.M. Hills Attack Tranquillised and Captured

Experts matched stripe patterns to confirm the captured leopard’s role in the killing.

Overview

  • Forest officials tranquilised a five-year-old male leopard around 8:30 p.m. on January 22 after tracking it with drones, camera traps and ground teams.
  • The animal was moved to the Chamundi Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre for observation following its capture by a 40‑member operation with veterinarians and trained trackers.
  • Authorities continue to restrict padayatra and two-wheeler access to the Male Mahadeshwara Hills routes through January 24 as a safety measure.
  • The victim, identified as Praveen of Mandya district, was attacked near Rangaswamy Vaddu on January 21 while walking from Talabetta with a group of devotees.
  • The state announced ₹20 lakh in compensation for the family, and the first ₹5 lakh instalment was handed over on January 22, while residents voiced concerns about earlier leopard sightings and preventive lapses.