Forest officials in Pilibhit have made a crucial identification. They confirmed the big cat that killed a 35-year-old woman is an adult leopard. This attack happened in Maharaj Nagar village, Lakhimpur Kheri, on Saturday evening. Initially, officials suspected a tiger was responsible.
Clear Pug Marks Confirm Leopard Identity
A day after the fatal attack on Usha Devi, the leopard struck again. On Sunday evening, it killed a feral dog near the same location. This incident left behind clear pug marks in the area. These marks helped forest officials establish the animal's identity definitively.
Bhupendra Singh, the Nighasan forest range officer, explained the findings. "The pug marks confirmed the animal was an adult leopard," he stated. Singh added an important ecological note. He said leopards do not typically coexist with tigers in the same territory. Leopards risk being killed by tigers if they share space.
Initial Confusion and Investigation Challenges
Earlier, officials had a different theory. They suspected a tiger based on the pattern of the initial attack. However, the first pug marks found at the site were not clear. Crowds that gathered after the incident distorted these early signs. This made accurate identification difficult at first.
The forest department has now intensified its efforts to capture the leopard. They increased the number of cages with live bait from one to two. Three monitoring teams are working in eight-hour shifts. This ensures a round-the-clock vigil in the area.
Advanced Technology and Dense Terrain
Officials are using thermal drone cameras to track the animal. Despite this technology, tracking remains challenging. Dense and contiguous sugarcane fields in the region hamper surveillance efforts. The leopard has been moving within a one-kilometre radius, according to officials.
Its diet in this area includes various animals. The leopard has been preying on nilgai, jackals, foxes, and rabbits within the sugarcane fields. To capture visual evidence, the department installed four camera traps near the attack site. So far, these traps have failed to capture any images of the elusive animal.
Public Safety Measures Implemented
Authorities are taking steps to protect villagers. They installed display boards across Maharaj Nagar village. These boards carry safety advisories about wild carnivores. Motorised vehicles are also being used to announce important safety tips.
The announcements urge villagers to follow specific precautions:
- Avoid going to the fields after sunset
- Work only during daylight hours
- Preferably work in groups for safety
- Make loud noise while working to deter wildlife
Forest range officer Bhupendra Singh emphasized these measures. He said the department is committed to preventing further incidents. The combination of trapping efforts, surveillance, and public awareness aims to resolve the situation safely.
