After another leopard scare at Bengaluru school, institution declares public holiday-India News, Firstpost

Bangalore: Fears of another leopard prowling in and around a private school on Tuesday night were unfounded and his alleged sighting was speculation, a senior official said on Wednesday.

“No leopards have been seen or found in and around the school by our forestry staff after an overnight search operation, although the school remains closed as a precaution,” said Ravi Ralph, warden Chief Wildlife Officer of Karnataka.

As rumors of another leopard sighting spread, causing panic, Vibgyor International School declared a holiday for its more than 1,000 students and faculty members to ensure their safety.

“We have decided to close the school for the day (Wednesday). Those who showed up with their wards have been asked to go home,” a school official told reporters.

The surprise entry of an eight-year-old leopard into school early Sunday and its rescue after a 12-hour operation in which five people were injured have shocked residents of Bengaluru.

“We are launching an online platform to raise awareness about leopards and other animals that can sneak into villages, towns or cities but do not harm them because they are not man-eaters,” Ralph said.

“With the edges of forests, lakes and other bodies of water disappearing for a variety of reasons, wild animals find it difficult to hunt their prey and obtain water to sustain themselves,” Ralph said.

The leopard that was tranquilized and captured had strayed on Sunday in the eastern outskirts of the city through bushes, rocks, hills and thick plantations across the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border in search of prey and food. water.

Since it was a public holiday, the students and teachers had the chance to escape the attack of the wild animal.

The leopard was placed in an iron cage and transferred to Bannarghatta National Zoological Park.

IANS