Two hurt in leopard attack at Tirumala; tigers spotted in Nallamala forest, devotees alerted

Two motorists were injured in a leopard attack on the Tirumala Ghat section.

A leopard appeared on the Ghat Road and attacked the motorists and employees of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (TTD). Two people sustained minor injuries in the attack. The animal later disappeared into the thick vegetation on the Tirumala hills, reports said.

The injured has been identified as Ramakrishna Reddy working as an electrician and Anand, a plumber. Both were returning home when they were attacked.

Nallamala Forest:

The forest department has alerted devotees passing through Nallamala forest to reach Srisailam temple in Kurnool district after tigers were spotted in the region.

It may be recalled that it was a regular practice for the devotees of Lord Siva to walk through the old pedestrian routes in the thick reserve forest to reach the Srisailam temple.

After observing the movement of tigers, the forest officials have swung into action and alerted the devotees. The forest department has decided to shut entry and exit points of pedestrian tracks through the reserve forest by 5 pm every day.

Forest officials said that they have found the pug marks of two tigers in Nagaluti and Bairluti ranges which are being used by the devotees to trek to the Srisailam temple.

"We have cautioned the pilgrims to be very careful while moving through the deep woods. We have also prohibited the movement of devotees through the forest after the completion of the month of Karthika. Some devotees were using routes which were risky," they added.

Forest officials said this is the season for mating of Tigers. "Disturbing their movement is highly dangerous," the officials said.

They advised the devotees to walk during the daytime and in groups in order to keep wild animals at bay.