Forest officials have sounded an alert to the tourists and the villagers in and around Valparai in the district not to venture out during nights, considering the movement of a leopard in the area.
Pug marks in certain areas were found by the officials following which the department sounded the alert to the villagers, department sources said.
Tourists were also advised to not to travel in the area during nights considering the animal's movement.
Senior officials of the department have inspected the area and directed the officials to take efforts to trap the carnivour at the earliest, the sources said.
The villagers of the area with tea estates and hilly terrains, are panic-stricken for the last few weeks following appearance of leopards even as a calf was attacked a couple of days ago.
