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Wildlife experts say such encounters are becoming more frequent as shrinking forest cover and declining prey populations are driving animals closer to human settlements in search of food.
The big cat was seen around 4 am on Thursday morning. (Image: PTI/Representative)
Repeated leopard sightings in and around the Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple complex in Andhra Pradesh have raised concerns over security at one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the state.
The latest incident came to light near Pathala Ganga stairs late night, where a leopard was captured on CCTV roaming around the temple priest’s residence. The footage, recorded after midnight, shows the animal calmly moving around the house, inspecting the surroundings and looking for food. The family saw the footage the next morning and alerted authorities, triggering new warnings for locals and pilgrims.
The incident occurred at a time when there was minimal human movement on the Pathala Ganga road, which is a popular spot for devotees taking a holy dip during the day. The absence of crowds appears to have allowed leopards free movement in the area, highlighting how easily wildlife can enter human spaces when activity is slow.
Following the alert, forest department officials and police visited the location and issued advisories urging people not to go alone at night. Devotees visiting Pathala Ganga have been asked to remain cautious, avoid isolated areas after dark and travel in groups whenever possible.
Why are leopards entering the temple area?
Srisailam is located in a dense forest area and is part of a protected tiger reserve, making it the natural habitat for leopards and other big cats. Wildlife experts say such encounters are becoming more frequent as shrinking forest cover and declining prey populations are driving animals closer to human settlements in search of food.
Stray dogs, cats and livestock found near residential areas often attract leopards, drawing them into the temple vicinity, staff quarters and nearby villages. In many cases, the animals are not aggressive but motivated by hunger and disorganized housing.
A pattern, not an isolated incident
This is not the first time leopards have been spotted in Srisailam. Over the past few years, multiple sightings have been reported, underscoring increasing patterns of human-wildlife interaction. In October 2025, a leopard carcass was found near the Pathala Ganga stairs, raising questions about how deep these animals are venturing into human areas. During the same month, leopards were spotted at the Srisailam Dam Bridge, a highly sensitive infrastructure area. A month earlier, in September, a leopard was spotted on the streets of the city, creating panic among residents.
Similar encounters have been reported in different parts of Andhra Pradesh. In November 2025, a leopard entered the Sri Venkateswara University campus in Tirupati, where CCTV cameras recorded it hunting and carrying away a stray dog ​​at night. The incident spread fear among students and staff, forcing forest officials to increase patrolling and take security measures.
Increasing number of leopards, shrinking habitat
Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh has seen a gradual increase in the leopard population in recent years. According to ‘Status of Leopards in India-2022’ released in 2024, currently there are 529 leopards here. However, conservationists emphasize that increased numbers alone do not explain the increase in sightings near human settlements. The bigger issue is habitat fragmentation, reduction in forest prey, and expansion of human activity around wildlife corridors.
As forests shrink and food becomes scarce, leopards are forced to adapt, often bringing them into direct contact with people. Temple towns, university campuses and residential colonies located at the forest fringes have become particularly vulnerable.
Security concerns at pilgrimage sites
The repeated sightings have sparked new debate about security arrangements at major pilgrimage sites, which attract thousands of devotees daily. While officials say the situation is being monitored, experts argue that proactive steps are necessary to prevent tragic encounters.
Forest officials are being urged to increase surveillance, install more camera traps, manage the stray animal population and conduct awareness campaigns among local people and pilgrims. Devotees are advised to avoid late night movement, stay in groups and immediately inform authorities if any suspicious wildlife activity is spotted.
As human territory continues to expand into forested areas, incidents such as this serve as a reminder that wildlife conflict is no longer confined to remote villages.
January 02, 2026, 13:17 IST
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