Drones deployed to monitor elusive leopards in A.P.’s Chittoor district

A village assistant cautioning residents in Kothur village near Chittoor on Friday. | Photo Credit: HANDOUT Amid reports of continuing sightings of two leopards, the Forest Department has deployed two special teams equipped with drone cameras to track the elusive wild cats in Chittoor rural mandal and surrounding areas.Speaking to The Hindu on Friday (September 11, 2026), District Forest Officer G. Subburaj said the department has spotted pugmarks of the leopards during combing operations. “Several mandals in Chittoor district have a good prey base, which has led to a healthy population of leopards. The two leopards currently on the prowl are part of a four-member group, of which two died recently—one fell into a well and another died in a territorial fight,” the DFO said.He said the leopards have so far not created any trouble except for attacking stray dogs. “Though there is a demand from the public to capture them, it is not technically possible as they are moving in their natural habitat and occasionally passing through fields. Capture is considered only when a big cat becomes a menace by killing humans or cattle. In this case, both are showing normal behaviour,” he said.Meanwhile, forest officials have raised awareness in vulnerable villages, advising people not to venture out after dusk, to secure their cattle, and to avoid rural roads at night if they are riding two-wheelers. Published - September 11, 2026 06:47 pm IST