Mandya:  A leopardess and her cubs that entered a shed where sheep were housed, have killed ten sheep and have taken away two of them.

The incident took place at the sheep shed belonging to Suresh near Kabbalamma Temple in Gowri Koppal village, Devalapura Hobli in Nagamagala taluk of Mandya district yesterday night.

Villagers said that the feline and cubs entered the shed at about 9 pm and killed 10 sheep besides stating that the big wild cat took away two sheep leaving behind the carcass of eight sheep. They alleged that there is a group of leopards at Muddu Linganakoppaltittu and Muthurayanatittu Forests in the surrounding of the village which are being spotted frequently since many months. 

The leopards enter the village and kill the livestock and have also caused a sense of fear among them, they alleged.

Meanwhile, Forest Department officials, who visited the village, conducted inspection and assured the sheep owner of getting the benefits given by the Government besides assuring villagers of trapping the leopards.