A leopard fatally attacked a 35-year-old woman in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division of Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, as confirmed by forest officials on Friday. The incident highlights rising interactions between leopards and local residents following recent flooding in the area.

The victim, identified as Mamta, was reportedly working in a field close to her home around 6 pm on Thursday when the attack occurred. The leopard emerged from a nearby sugarcane field and struck Mamta, resulting in her death. The location of the incident was approximately 2 km away from the nearest forested area.

Officials stated that a team from the forest department arrived shortly after the attack. Mamta’s husband, who was in Rajasthan at the time, returned to Bahraich on Friday morning. The local police have since taken custody of the body, with plans to conduct a post-mortem examination.

Increased Human-Wildlife Conflict

The incursion of leopards into populated areas has reportedly intensified due to increased human activity following floods. Local residents have expressed their fears over the frequent sightings of wild animals, prompting many shopkeepers to alter their business hours for safety reasons.

Divisional Forest Officer Apurva Dixit mentioned that prior to the incident, the forest department had conducted two wildlife awareness campaigns in the Sujauli area, focusing on measures to avoid conflicts between humans and leopards. Additionally, elephant patrols had been executed to deter larger carnivores from approaching human settlements.

According to Dixit, just moments before the leopard attack, two camera traps had been installed around 100–200 metres from the incident site in an effort to monitor wildlife movements in the area. These proactive measures were intended to better understand and mitigate risks related to human-wildlife interactions.

Recent Leopard Sightings and Attacks

This tragic incident is not isolated; there have been multiple reports of leopard attacks in Bahraich over the past few weeks. Earlier in the month, an 86-year-old woman lost her life due to a leopard attack. Additionally, another individual sustained injuries in a separate incident involving a leopard.

In light of these occurrences, several leopards have been safely rescued in different parts of Bahraich in recent days. The local population has also reported additional movements of wildlife in close proximity to their communities, fueling concern among residents.

On Wednesday evening, for instance, a leopard was observed resting on an empty cot in the courtyard of a hut near a sand dump within the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division. A local shopkeeper captured images of the leopard and discreetly alerted nearby individuals. When the community raised an alarm, the leopard vacated the hut and proceeded towards adjacent fields.

Furthermore, on Thursday morning, a tigress and her three cubs were sighted on the Motipur-Sujauli road, leading to a temporary disruption in traffic. Onlookers halted their vehicles and retreated from the area as the animals remained on the road before eventually wandering back into the forest.

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