File photo of a leopard. (Representative image)
Credit: iStock Photo
Jaipur: Two leopards responsible for three deaths in the past few days in Udaipur’s Gogunda region have been caught finally. They walked into two cages, set up in two villages where they were known to be loitering.
At least 60 forest workers divided into seven teams have been working continuously for the past five days to trap the leopards. Even the Army were pressed into service to look for the wild cats.
The leopards were responsible for killing Hameri Bhil, 50, who was working in the field in Umriya village and probably also killed 16-year-old Kamla in Undithal village and a youth named Khumaram, who was working in the field in Bhevriya village, about three km away. The leopards walked into cages around 45 km away from Gogunda region after midnight on Monday.
Rescue teams from Rajsamand, Sirohi, Jodhpur teams along with shooters for tranquillisation were also called into service. Even the villagers helped the rescuers to locate the leopard. At least 21 drone cameras and 23 trap cameras were installed to keep track of the leopards. The captured leopards have been transferred to Sajjangarh Biological Park, where they are being treated for injuries.
Forest officials say one of the leopards caught is old and has lost its canine teeth and is thus not able to capture their prey. So it becomes convenient for them to attack humans.
At least nine people have lost their lives due to leopard attacks, starting from a two and half-year-old infant in Delawara village in Rajsamand. In September alone, there have been at least four attacks. On September 8, 40 year old Mirabai was killed when she had gone to the forest to collect firewood. On September 19, Kamla, 16 was killed. The same day Khumaram was also killed. On September 20, Hameri Bhil was attacked brutally and killed.
Wildlife experts say although leopards are reclusive by nature, they are increasingly venturing into human habitations due to loss of their habitat, dwindling prey base and poaching. Leopards usually attack when they are injured and unable to hunt. They also attack children, toddlers as they easy preys