Leopard movement on Tirumala footpath triggers panic among devotees

The leopard scare along the Srivari Mettu footpath resurfaced on Friday, leaving the devotees who were trekking in panic.

Devotees trekking along the pathway spotted the big cat crossing the pathway at the 150th step on the route from Srinivasa Mangapuram, considered the shortest to reach the hill temple. The panic-stricken devotees raised an alarm and ran helter-skelter.

The on-duty sulabh workers immediately alerted the TTD security and police personnel, who in no time reached the spot. Forest officials confirmed the movement of the big cat and also collected its fresh pugmarks.

The TTD security and police personnel appealed to the devotees not to venture out individually, but move in groups with their children in the middle as a safety measure.