Pilibhit: An 18-month-old sub-adult leopardess barged into a house in Joginia village of Bahraich district around 9 am on Sunday, injuring three family members who attempted to drive it away before it ultimately took shelter in a room. The animal was later tranquillised and released into the forest after a medical examination confirmed it was healthy, officials said.
Incident Details
The injured individuals, identified as Mohammad Naseem (55), Jubair Ur Rahman (32), and Fazal Ur Rahman (67), were taken to a government health facility for treatment. The rescue operation, led by Dr Deepak Verma, veterinary officer at Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Expert Analysis
Divisional Forest Officer S Sundaresh explained that sub-adult leopard cubs constantly face threats from wolves, hyenas, tigers, and even adult male leopards. It is possible that the leopardess entered the village house seeking shelter after losing the protection of its mother.
This incident marks the third leopard rescue in Bahraich within four days. A sub-adult male leopard, approximately one-and-a-half years old, was rescued through caging in the Mahsi area on May 20, while its mother was trapped on May 22.
Broader Context
Dr Mudit Gupta, tiger expert at WWF-India and senior landscape coordinator for the Terai Arc Landscape in Uttar Pradesh, noted that the increasing number of leopards straying into villages near forest areas could be linked to the growing tiger population. As leopards generally occupy fringe areas of forests due to threats posed by tigers, an increase in tiger numbers may push them towards rural areas. Additionally, sugarcane crops are currently too short to provide adequate cover, forcing leopards to move into human habitations.
This incident highlights the growing human-wildlife conflict in the region, as expanding tiger populations and habitat changes drive leopards into populated areas.
