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 a complaint by local residents, officials from Periyanaickenpalayam Forest Division inspected the area and the pug marks present in Vadamadurai, Meenakshi Gardens and Kumaran Avenue, where three women who were on their morning walk, and three students are said to have noticed the animal crossing the road in a gap of four days.

As part of preliminary investigation, officials put chemicals
and Plaster of Paris to ascertain whether the pug marks belonged to a 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 to the leopard in appearance, the sources said, adding that the Departments would keep strict vigil in the area.