Villagers in the Devadurga range forest limits of Raichur district took matters into their own hands on Sunday, killing a leopard hours after it had injured four villagers. The incident unfolded in Karadigudda village, where the leopard attacked residents who were going about their morning routines.
Incident Details
According to forest officials, the leopard first injured a villager while he was in the fields. Subsequently, three others who came to his aid were also attacked by the animal. The injured were promptly taken to Devadurga taluk government hospital for medical treatment.
Villager Response
Upon learning of the attacks, hundreds of villagers armed themselves with sticks and stones and began searching for the leopard in the surrounding forest. Despite forest department notifications, the villagers took matters into their own hands, ultimately leading to the leopard’s death.
Official Response
Raichur district deputy conservator of forests (DCF), B Praveen, stated that despite efforts by forest officials to capture the leopard using a cage and net, the large gathering of villagers hindered their operations. The situation escalated when the leopard reappeared, prompting the villagers to attack and kill it.
Legal Actions
The forest department plans to conduct an autopsy on the leopard and take action against those responsible for killing the animal under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The leopard, identified as a 5-year-old male, had not been reported for causing any previous disturbances in the village.