The education department in Bengaluru declared a holiday in more than 120 schools in the eastern parts of the city after two more leopard sightings were reported around a private school near the Varthur area. A forest official said they had a confirmation on one leopard being spotted, but residents of the area claim to have seen two.
Around 129 schools in the neighbourhoods of Varthur, Immadihalli, Doddakanelli and Marathahalli will remain closed on Thursday, The News Minute reported. According to a report in The Hindu, 134 schools declared a holiday.
Chief wildlife warden of Karnataka Ravi Ralph said they are launching an online platform to spread awareness on keeping such animals safe. They aim to ensure that leopards and other animals that enter villages, towns or cities are not harmed as they are not man-eaters like tigers. “With forest fringes, lakes and other water bodies disappearing for various reasons, wild animals are finding it difficult to hunt for prey and get water to sustain themselves,” he explained.
On Sunday, a leopard had strayed into Vibgyor school near Varthur. It was tranquilised and captured after a 12-hour-long operation in which several people were injured. The leopard was moved to Bannerghatta National Park.
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