After the rumors of two more leopards being spotted near a private school in Bengaluru, about 60 schools were declared a holiday yesterday, as a precautionary measure.

The school gates of Varthur, Immadihalli, Doddakanelli and Maratha halli, east Bengaluru will remain shut today. About 129 schools remain closed today in Bengaluru. However, the holiday does not apply for the school staff.  
   
After leopards were spotted in the surroundings of Vibgyor school on Tuesday evening, the school authorities declared an off, unwilling to put kids at risk with the leopard.

“I have confirmation of one leopard being spotted, but the people residing in the area are saying they have spotted two in and around Vibgyor school,” a forest official said.

Responding to the repeated situations like these, Karnataka chief wildlife warden Ravi Ralph said, “We are launching an online platform to spread awareness on leopards and other animals who may enter villages, towns or cities stealthily, but do not harm them as they are not man-eaters like tigers.”

Explaining about the reasons behind these unfortunate situations, Ralph said, “With forest fringes, lakes and other water bodies disappearing for various reasons, wild animals are finding it difficult to hunt for prey and get water to sustain.”

It is known that, how a leopard entered Vibgyor school in Bengaluru and injured few people. Fortunately, as the day was a holiday, kids are out of the threat. However, after the hours of struggle, the forest officials captured the leopard and shifted to the Bannarghatta national zoo park.

By Phani Ch