Another leopard sighted at Tirupati’s Alipiri; man falls off bike in panic
The Hindu
Leopard sightings near Alipiri cause panic among Tirupati residents, highlighting the need for increased safety measures.
Yet another leopard sighting near Alipiri, on the foothill of Tirumala hills, has sent a fresh wave of panic among the residents of Tirupati as well as the travellers who frequent the road during nights.
D. Muni Kumar, working as a contract employee at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ (TTD) Aswini Hospital at Tirumala hills, had a flash encounter with a leopard on Saturday (January 11, 2025) on Saluva Narasimharaya Marg (Alipiri–Cherlopalli road), close to Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park premises.
The leopard suddenly jumped off the road median to cross the road towards the abutting forest. Muni Kumar, who sighted the big cat in close range, panicked and tried to move away from the divider, when his vehicle skidded and collapsed on the road. He sustained serious injury on his head and shoulder.
Fellow road users got him admitted to SVR Ruia Government General Hospital, from where he was shifted to SVIMS hospital, where he is recovering. TTD’s Forest Officer V. Srinivasulu and Forest Range Officer (Tirupati Wildlife Management Circle) Sudarshan Reddy reached the spot and identified the leopard’s pug marks.
Leopards have been making frequent appearances on this road during the last several months, sending a chill down the spine of road users and giving sleepless nights to the Forest Department staff. The last sighting was reported just a month ago.
Abutting the Tirumala forest, the region is currently dotted by high-profile institutions such as Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, ANGRAU’s Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, SVICCAR (Tata Cancer Institute), SV Aravind Eye Hospital, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Andhra Pradesh State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, SVBC Channel etc.
Most institutions are situated on one side of the road, while the forest is just across the six-lane highway, making the porous border no barrier for the movement of animals. Even deer are regularly sighted on this road stretch.
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai condemns Israel's actions in Gaza and urges Muslim leaders to support girls' education.
Enforcement Directorate arrests four in Bihar cooperative bank fraud linked to RJD MLA, sparking political controversy.
BJP aims for more women representation in its structure ahead of implementing one-third reservation for Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve discusses party's decision to contest local body elections solo amid MVA unity.
Gandhimathi, the beloved female elephant at Sri Nellaiappar Temple, passes away after battling multiple ailments.
Arvind Kejriwal warns Delhi voters of BJP's plan to demolish slums, prioritizing land acquisition over welfare. AAP seeks re-election.
Laurene Powell Jobs visits Kashi Vishwanath Temple before Maha Kumbh, accompanied by Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj.
Rakhi Singh, a minor girl given 'sannyasa', expelled from Juna Akhada for rule violation, guru also expelled for 7 years.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut discusses party's decision to contest local body polls independently, emphasizing organizational growth and unity.
Mumbai police arrest three in jewellery company scam involving Ponzi and MLM schemes worth crores.
Dewatering process ongoing in flooded Assam coal mine, with four bodies recovered and final stage expected soon.