Leopard Attack at Uttarakhand Campsite Injures Sikkim Man, Second Incident in Days
A 45-year-old man from Sikkim sustained injuries to his face and arms after being attacked by a leopard at a camping site in Pancheswar, located in the Lohaghat block of Champawat district in Uttarakhand. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, with forest officials confirming the details on Wednesday.
Details of the Attack and Response
According to tourist guide Mahesh Bhatt, the leopard had entered the campsite earlier in the day, damaging tents and attempting to approach a group of people before retreating upon seeing a crowd. Later, the animal attacked Ian Christopher, who was camping on the banks of the Kali River.
Christopher was initially taken to Lohaghat Hospital for treatment and later referred to the district hospital. Doctor Viraj Rathi reported that his condition is stable following the attack.
Forest department teams, led by Lohaghat ranger Narayan Pandey, quickly responded to the scene after being informed that the leopard had retreated into the forest. A search operation was launched, but no trace of the animal was found.
Second Attack in Three Days Prompts Safety Measures
This incident marks the second leopard attack in the area within just three days. On Sunday, 28-year-old Geeta Devi was injured in a similar attack at Dhauni Silling, highlighting a growing pattern of wildlife conflicts in the region.
In response, forest officials have implemented several safety measures. They have already installed four camera traps and a cage at Dhauni Silling and plan to deploy three additional cages at Pancheswar to monitor and capture the leopard, aiming to prevent further attacks and ensure public safety.
The repeated incidents underscore the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in forested areas of Uttarakhand, prompting calls for increased vigilance and proactive measures from authorities.
