Leopard attacks on the rise, over 100 injured in 6 years

Ranjit Thakur

Doda, February 9

The rising population and shrinking habitat of animals in the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar has resulted in frequent human-animal conflicts. Leopards have strayed into human population and claimed 10 human lives and injured over 100 people since 2011 in these districts.

According to official figures of the Wildlife Department division of Kishtwar, in 2001, two people were killed in Doda and Kishtwar and 12 persons were injured. From 2012 to 2014, 61 persons were injured in such incidents. Since 2015, six persons have been killed by leopards out of whom five were from Doda.

The Wildlife Department trapped three leopards within a week from different places in Doda after the wild beasts injured several persons and killed a minor boy in Nalwa village a few days back. The operations to trap leopards continue in several villages by wildlife teams and the forest protection force.

Range Officer, Doda-Kishtwar, Sajjad Zahir, said, “A person was badly injured in a leopard attack at Batrie village of Gandho last evening while two others were also injured in a similar incident. We tranquillised the leopard and shifted it to a zoo in Jammu early this morning. We have trapped three leopards within a week’s time.”