A leopard from the Vilamundi Forest Range in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve killed a calf after straying into human habitation at Periyakallipatti in Bhavanisagar block on Monday (June 29, 2026), prompting farmers and residents to stage a road roko.The leopard is said to have ventured out of the forest in the early hours of Monday and entered the backyard of farmer Mani’s house, located at the foothills of the Palani Andavar hilltop temple. It dragged away a calf and killed it in an adjoining agricultural field.The farmer discovered the half-eaten carcass in the morning and informed the Forest Department. Later, he placed the carcass on the Periyakallipatti road and, along with other farmers and residents, staged a road roko.The protesters alleged that the leopard had killed several head of cattle in the area in recent weeks and demanded that it be trapped and relocated deep inside the forest to prevent further attacks.Police personnel and Forest Department officials held talks with the protesters and assured them that necessary steps would be taken to address the issue. Following the assurance, the protesters dispersed and traffic was restored. Published - June 29, 2026 06:50 pm IST