Hyderabad: Three shepherds were attacked by a leopard in Mahbubnagar district on July 26. Forest officials said the three shepherds were admitted to the Mahbubnagar govt general hospital and were discharged after treatment on July 29.The incident, reported from Kothalabad village in Koyalakonda mandal of Mahbubnagar district, comes in the wake of leopard sightings in Kamareddy and Nirmal districts. Forest officials have advised people in all three districts to remain vigilant. In addition to the leopard sightings, the movement of a tiger was also reported from Kamareddy district.Forest staff have installed camera traps to check for the movement of the leopard. Cages have been set up to capture them and release them back into the wild.The shepherds said they sensed danger when they saw commotion in the sheep pen. Before they could react, a leopard sprung upon them and attacked them, inflicting minor injuries. Later, it was found that the leopard had killed several sheep.Forest officials who were informed about it took them to the hospital.In Kamareddy district too, cattle killings were reported from Ramreddy mandal. District forest officer (DFO) Nikitha Boja confirmed the presence of a leopard and a tiger. “We have alerted the public and have installed camera traps to track the movements of the animals,” she said.Meanwhile, in Nirmal district, locals in Thanur mandal reported sighting a leopard near their village. Officials are taking steps to relocate the animals into the wild.
