Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Leopard Sighting Raises Concern on Alipiri Trekking Route
A leopard was seen near the Alipiri walking route to Tirumala at about 2 a.m.
on Monday.
No devotees were nearby when it appeared, so nobody was caught in a major incident.
Security staff and forest officials went to the area.
They began an operation to guide the leopard back into the forest.
Officials asked people to walk in groups and stay alert on the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu routes.
They also told parents to watch children and infants carefully.
Patrols have been increased along the routes.
Officials say this was reportedly the fourth leopard sighting on the Alipiri route in a month.
A leopard was spotted near Mokali Mitta around 2 a.m. on Monday.
No devotees were in the area at the time, and officials said a major incident was averted.
TTD vigilance and security personnel and forest officials went to the spot to drive the leopard back into the forest.
Devotees were advised to stay alert, trek in groups and watch children closely on forested stretches.
Patrolling has increased; the sighting was reportedly the fourth on the Alipiri route in a month.
- Who
- A leopard was spotted; TTD vigilance and security personnel and forest department officials responded.
- What
- A leopard sighting prompted an operation and increased patrols, along with safety advice for devotees.
- When
- Around 2 a.m. on Monday.
- Where
- Near Mokali Mitta on the Alipiri trekking route to Tirumala.
- Why
- The sighting raised concern for devotees using the pedestrian route.
- Sighting time
- Around 2 a.m. on Monday
- Sighting location
- Near Mokali Mitta on the Alipiri trekking route
- People present
- No devotees were in the area at the time
- Response
- TTD vigilance and security personnel and forest department officials launched an operation to drive the animal back into the forest
- Safety advice
- Devotees were told to remain alert and trek in groups; parents were asked to take extra care of children and infants
- Patrolling
- Patrolling was intensified along the trekking routes
- Recent frequency
- The sighting was reportedly the fourth on the Alipiri route in the past month