Lucknow: The Katarniaghat Wildlife Division in Bahraich has rescued an adult male leopard suspected of killing a 28-year-old man in Mahboobnagar village under the Kakaraha range on Sept 1, forest officials said.Forest teams rushed to the village amid heightened tension and anger among residents following the incident. Officials pacified the crowd, arranged for the victim’s body to be sent for postmortem, and assured villagers of immediate assistance as well as enhanced safety measures.Deputy Ranger Satyaprakash Verma examined and measured pugmarks at the site and confirmed that they belonged to an adult leopard.Despite persistent rain, forest personnel strategically installed a cage near the spot where the attack occurred. The team continued round-the-clock monitoring and succeeded in trapping the big cat in less than 24 hours. Officials said the leopard’s physical characteristics matched the assessment based on the pugmarks found at the site.The rescued leopard is currently undergoing veterinary examination and observation in accordance with prescribed protocols, officials said.The forest department has appealed to residents to remain vigilant, particularly during the early morning, evening and night hours.Villagers have been advised against sleeping in open verandahs, courtyards or outside their homes at night and have been asked to ensure adequate lighting around residential areas. The department said lighting arrangements were being made in identified hotspot villages.Residents have also been urged not to venture alone near forest boundaries, agricultural fields or dense vegetation. They have been advised to move in groups while carrying torches and sticks, with special caution recommended for children.The department further asked villagers to keep cattle in sturdy, fully covered enclosures at night, warning that exposed livestock can attract wild animals.Officials urged residents to immediately inform the nearest forest personnel or range office if they notice any wild animal activity near habitation areas.
