Mother's Instinct Prevails Against Wild Predator
In an extraordinary display of maternal courage, a 37-year-old woman engaged in a life-and-death struggle with a leopard to save her six-year-old son in a village near the Katarniaghat forest on Sunday evening. The incident occurred in Durga Gaudhi village, where Shridevi was sitting on her veranda comforting her young son Jitin when the unexpected attack unfolded.
The Terrifying Attack and Brave Rescue
The peaceful evening turned into a nightmare when a leopard, hiding in roadside bushes, suddenly launched itself at the six-year-old boy. The predator attempted to drag Jitin away into the nearby forest, but Shridevi reacted instantly. Demonstrating remarkable bravery, the mother leaped forward and pulled her son back from the animal's clutches using all her strength.
What followed was a desperate several-minute struggle between the determined mother and the wild leopard. Their screams during the confrontation alerted nearby villagers, who rushed to the scene to help. The growing crowd eventually forced the leopard to retreat back into the forest, abandoning its prey.
Critical Injuries and Administrative Delays
Both Shridevi and her son sustained grievous injuries during the attack and required immediate medical attention. The family arranged for a private vehicle during the night and transported the mother-son duo to the community health centre in Mihinpurwa. Given their critical condition, doctors referred them to Bahraich Medical College, where both are currently receiving intensive care.
Forest officials from Dhaurahara Range confirmed the leopard attack after examining pugmarks at the scene. However, the village's unique geographical position between two administrative jurisdictions—Katarniaghat's Sujauli Range and Lakhimpur Kheri's Dhaurahara Range—has created complications in providing assistance.
Village head Prem Murari expressed concern that no assistance or compensation had reached the family due to jurisdictional confusion between departments. This administrative gap highlights the challenges faced by villages located in border areas between different forest ranges, where response to wildlife conflicts often gets delayed.
