Forest department today ruled out the movement of leopard in Thudiyalur on the outskirts, as claimed by three women and three students during the last one week.
Based on the complaint by the local residents, the officials from Periyanaickenpalayam Forest division inspected the area and also the pug marks present in Vadamadurai, Meenakshi Gardens and Kumaran Avenue, where three women morning walkers and three students said to have noticed the animal crossing the road in the gap of four days.
As part of preliminary investigation, the officials put chemicals and plaster of Paris to ascertain whether the pug marks belong to leopard or tiger, but later ruled out its movement, department sources said.
They suspect that It could be the presence of wildcat, which was similar as leopard in appearance, the sources said, adding that the departments will keep strict vigil in the area.
