A 55-year-old man sustained serious injuries after a wild animal, believed to be a hyena, attacked him while he was working in the fields in Baijakhedha village under Maharajpur police station area on Wednesday morning.
Incident Details
According to the victim's wife, at around 5:30 am, she was picking flowers in her field when suddenly an animal resembling a leopard attacked her husband, Surendra, and injured him. She stated that when she ran towards him after hearing the noise, the animal fled. The victim was taken to Sarsaul Community Health Centre, where doctors, considering his serious condition, referred him to the district hospital.
Forest Department Response
Forest Department Deputy Ranger Anil Singh Tomar said that the forest department conducted a search for the animal at the incident site. Based on paw prints found in the fields, the team suspected these were hyena tracks. A search was also conducted via drone, but the animal could not be traced. Tomar added that the animal could have moved through the fields towards the banks of the Ganga river.
Mobile numbers were provided to villagers by the forest department, and checkposts were set up outside the village with forest teams deployed to contain the animal if it is spotted again.
Safety Measures
The forest department has urged villagers to remain vigilant and report any sightings immediately. They have set up checkposts and deployed teams to track the animal. Residents are advised to avoid going to the fields alone, especially during early morning and evening hours.
This incident highlights the growing human-wildlife conflict in the region, as encroachment into natural habitats increases. The forest department is coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safety of villagers.
