Only four days after a sheep was killed by a leopard at Mangasandra village, two leopards attacked a herd of sheep, killing 59 sheep and inuring 12, at Naganala village under Sugatur hobli in Kolar taluk on Sunday night. The leopard attack has triggered fear in the villagers.

Two leopards reportedly strayed in at around 10 p.m. and sucked the blood of 59 sheep, killing them. The sheep belonged to Naganala Ramesh, a farmer.

When Pillegowda, brother of Ramesh, rushed to the shed on hearing a sound, he saw a leopard fleeing from the scene, the latter said. Though one leopard was sighted, it was widely believed that at least two wildcats attacked the herd, considering the casualties. “The death of so many sheep has caused loss of over Rs. 3 lakh”, Ramesh told The Hindu on Monday. The leopards apparently fled to the nearby hills where caves are located.

Veterinary doctor Madhu rushed to the spot in the morning on hearing the news and treated the injured sheep. Range Forest Officer Santhosh and Honorary Wildlife Warden K.N. Tyagaraj visited the spot for inspection.

“There are possibilities of leopards straying into the area in search of dogs, which are easy prey for feline”, Mr. Tyagaraj said. Dogs rove in large number to eat chicken wastes dumped by poultry farms in the surrounding area.

The villagers have been warned by the Forest Department officials not to venture out of their houses in the night. RFO Santhosh has said cages will be kept to trap the leopards. Forest staff will be deputed to guard the area, he added.