Man dies in suspected leopard attack near Hasanur

A 35-year-old man was killed in a suspected carnivore attack near Hasanur in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, according to Forest Department officials. The victim was identified as Periasamy of Bungalowthotti village under Hasanur panchayat. Officials said the incident occurred at about 1 a.m.

on Saturday near a restaurant building on National Highway 948. After Periasamy was reported missing, villagers searched the area and found his body near the forest fringe, close to where the incident was believed to have occurred. The animal involved was initially suspected to be a leopard.

A senior Forest Department official said the department could not yet establish whether a leopard or another carnivore was responsible. The species would be assessed after a post-mortem examination and further investigation, the official said. Villagers staged a protest and initially refused to allow the body to be removed.

They demanded the deployment of more Forest Department personnel, stronger protection measures, increased compensation for the victim’s family and a visit by a senior official. The protesters also referred to earlier incidents in which cattle had been killed by a carnivore in the area. After nearly two hours, they allowed the body to be taken for post-mortem examination.

The Forest Department official said requests for additional personnel and enhanced protection had already been submitted to the government. A grievance meeting with villagers would also be organised, the official said.