Leopard Mauls 5-year-old Boy to Death in North Kashmir

A five-year-old boy was dragged away by a leopard to a forest in north Kashmir and later only his half eaten body was recovered, police said on Sunday.

This is the third such incident in past 10 days underlining the mountainous region’s grave man-animal conflict issue.

Wildlife officials say Leopard and Himalayan black bear populations have increased after a ban on hunting was enforced in Kashmir in 1970, and the loss of pine forests had already increased contact between animals and humans.

The fresh incident took place on Saturday evening in Pazipora village in Handwara north of Srinagar.

“A leopard appeared from behind and pounced on five year-old Faizan Ahmad Lone. The animal killed him instantly and his mutilated body was recovered around 200 metre away from his home,” a resident was quoted by TNS as saying.

Agitated over the incident, locals protested against wildlife department for its alleged failure to protect them from frequent attacks by wild animals.

However, the protesters later dispersed off peacefully after senior officers assured necessary action to prevent such incidents.

Wild bears and leopards besides other animals are now frequently wandering into Kashmir villages killing people and livestock.

Nearly half a dozen people have been killed so far this year by wild animals, and scores of others have been injured, wildlife officials say.

Earlier last week four people were injured when a leopard attacked a house in central Kashmir.

Authorities have set up control rooms and are distributing leaflets urging people living near forests to take precautions to prevent more casualties.

Police say at least six bears and leopards have been killed by villagers and authorities in the last ten months after attacking local people.


(Free Press Kashmir)