A leopard sighting near step number 2754 on Tirupati’s Alipiri pedestrian route to Tirumala has triggered intensified patrols and safety advisories for pilgrims using the footpath.
The leopard was seen sitting on a tree close to the route on Tuesday, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle – South. Devotees alerted the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams vigilance and security department after spotting the animal.
Vigilance personnel, Forest Department staff and local police subsequently increased patrolling along the pedestrian route. Pilgrims have been advised to move in groups and exercise caution while crossing the 7th Mile, Narasimha Swamy temple and Mokalla Mettu stretches of the Alipiri footpath.
The sighting has added to a series of reported leopard movements around Tirumala’s pedestrian access routes and forest-edge areas. Leopards have previously been spotted at locations including the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu footpaths, Papavinasanam and other areas adjoining the forest.
The Forest Department has intensified round-the-clock surveillance along the forest fringes of Tirupati and on routes used by pilgrims travelling on foot. Monitoring teams have been deployed to track wildlife movement and alert authorities when animals are reported near public access areas.
Two five-member teams have been assigned to the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu footpaths. A third team is monitoring university campuses and other locations where wildlife movement has been reported. The deployment brings together forest officials, TTD security and vigilance personnel, and local police around routes that connect the city and hill shrine.
The response highlights the operational challenge of managing pilgrim movement through a landscape where pedestrian infrastructure runs alongside forest fringes. The Alipiri route includes long stretches of steps and wooded surroundings, making surveillance and timely communication important for people travelling in groups or at quieter hours.
For now, the advisory remains focused on group movement and caution in the identified stretches. Surveillance teams are continuing their monitoring of the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu footpaths, university campuses and other reported wildlife-movement areas.
