Leopard sighting on Tirumala trekking route causes panic among pilgrims
Pilgrims trekking to the Tirumala hill shrine reported a leopard sighting on the Alipiri footpath, causing widespread panic. Forest officials and temple authorities have advised devotees to travel in groups for safety.
Why it matters
Wildlife-human conflict in high-traffic religious sites poses significant safety risks and requires careful management.
A leopard sighting on the Alipiri footpath leading to Tirumala triggered panic among pilgrims on Friday evening, reviving concerns over wildlife movement along the popular trekking route to the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara after a prolonged lull.
The big cat was spotted near the Lord Narasimha Swamy temple, about halfway along the Alipiri footpath, by devotees trekking to Tirumala. The sighting caused panic, with pilgrims rushing away from the area in search of safety.
Officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the Forest Department rushed to the spot and advised pilgrims to continue their trek only in groups.
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