UP: After wolves, Bahraich faces leopard fear; farmer killed in third attack this month

Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, which was in constant news in the recent past over a series of wolf attacks and the subsequent trapping of the entire pack, has now reported a series of leopard attacks.

In the latest incident, a 40-year-old farmer was killed by a leopard while working in his field in a village adjacent to the Katarniaghat forest on Sunday (September 29) afternoon, forest department officials said.

A 35-year-old farmer and a 13-year-old girl were injured in separate incidents involving leopards in areas near the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division earlier this month.

Attacked in field

The deceased farmer, Kandhai (40), was working in his field in Dharmapur Bejha village when he was attacked by the leopard. His mutilated body was discovered by his family members.

Upon receiving the news, the police and forest department officials arrived at the scene and took possession of the body.

Katarniaghat Wildlife Division and Sanctuary fall under the jurisdiction of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Foresters trying to track big cat

Lalit Verma, the field director of the reserve, confirmed the leopard attack.

“The villagers need to be cautious about the presence of a big cat in the area as we are trying to track it,” he said urging the locals to avoid working alone in the fields and to be vigilant.

The forest department has deployed personnel to patrol the area and has set up cage traps to capture the leopard. Tranquilizing experts have also been called in to assist with the operation.

(With agency inputs)