Drones deployed to monitor elusive leopards in Chittoor district of AP

A village assistant warned residents of Kothur village near Chittoor on Friday. | Photo credit: HANDOUT

Amid reports of continued sightings of two leopards, the forest department has deployed two special teams equipped with drone cameras to track the elusive wild cats in rural Chittoor mandal and surrounding areas.

Speaking to The Hindu on Friday (September 11, 2026), District Forest Officer G. Subburaj said the department spotted pugs after leopards during combing operations. “Several mandals in Chittoor district have a good prey base, which has resulted in a healthy population of leopards. The two leopards currently on the hunt are part of a group of four, two of which died recently – one fell into a well and the other died in a territorial fight,” the DFO said.

He said the leopards have not caused any trouble so far apart from attacking stray dogs. “Although there is public demand to capture them, it is not technically possible as they roam in their natural habitat and occasionally cross fields. Capture is only considered when a big cat becomes a threat by killing people or livestock. In this case, both are behaving normally,” he said.

Meanwhile, forest officials have raised awareness in vulnerable villages, advising people not to venture out after dark, secure livestock and avoid rural roads at night if riding two-wheelers.

Published – 11 Sep 2026 18:47 IST