The Forest personnel, on Thursday, launched a search operation and also placed a cage to trap a leopard that is suspected to have strayed into the Lingambudhi Lake premises.
A few strollers on the lake bund had complained about the movement of a leopard since a few days and the presence of the big cat was confirmed after a carcass of a calf was found on Wednesday.
Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) V Karikalan confirmed the presence of the leopard and said that the animal might have come from the forests in search of food. Though Lingambudhi Lake is a forest land, many people visit it and thus, the authorities have placed the cage to trap the animal. Karikalan urged the people not to panic as the animal does not harm unless it is disturbed.
According to the officer, a leopard travels up to 15 km a day and rests where it gets food.
Published 09 February 2017, 18:11 IST