Palakkad, 13 Oct (H.S.):A leopard and its two cubs were spotted near a residential area at Pokkamada, close to Aluvasery in Nenmara, on Tuesday morning, prompting Forest Department officials to launch efforts to drive the animals back into the forest.

Residents discovered the animals below Pokkamada hill, near Avanad hill, which adjoins the Nelliyampathy forest region. The sighting came after unusual growling sounds drew the attention of people living in the locality.

On checking the area to identify the source of the sounds, residents first noticed two leopard cubs perched on the branches of two trees. They then watched the surroundings and spotted an adult leopard nearby, establishing that three animals were present close to the settlement.

The residents subsequently alerted the Forest Department. Forest personnel reached the location and carried out a detailed inspection of the area where the animals had been seen. Following the examination, officials confirmed the presence of the leopard and its cubs.

The department then began attempts to move all three animals towards the adjoining forest. Officials were using firecrackers to frighten them away from the residential locality and encourage them to return to the wooded area.

The location of the sighting, at the foot of a hill close to the Nelliyampathy forest region, has become the focus of the department’s operation. The immediate effort is to drive the animals back into the forest from the area where residents discovered them.

The sequence of sightings began with the cubs, whose presence became apparent when residents investigated the growling. The adult leopard was detected only during the observation that followed.

Forest personnel continued their efforts after confirming the animals’ presence. There was no confirmation in the initial information that the leopard and both cubs had returned to the forest, and the operation to move them was still underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman