Leopard Brutally Killed in UP Village, Forest Department to File FIR Against Locals
Locals in Nabi Nagar Village in Uttar Pradesh killed a leopard after tying its legs and pushing it around with long sticks
Reportedly, locals from Nabi Nagar village in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, brutally killed a leopard last Sunday. After this cruelty against the poor animal, the UP forest department will file an FIR against the villagers involved in the act. According to Manish Singh, Divisional Forest Officer, the villagers chased the female leopard, tied its legs, and pushed it around for hours with long sticks. The forest department crew was able to get to the poor leopard; however, unfortunately, the animal couldn’t survive for long and died on the way to the veterinary clinic.
As per the officials, the leopard was chased and attacked by over two dozen locals. Speaking on this matter, Singh said that the forest department will lodge an FIR under the Wildlife Protection Act against the accused.
Image: India Ahead
Initially, the officials stated that there was no external injury to the carcass. However, the port-mortem report confirmed that the animal was in bad condition and that it couldn’t survive the internal injuries due to villagers’ actions. Since they tied its feet, it further deteriorated its overall health condition leading to its death.
The forest department lodged an FIR against 64 locals for killing a leopard, last month as well. Apparently, when the forest department tries to protect the animal, villagers start hitting them as well. That’s why it has become very difficult for forest officials to protect wild animals, especially leopards in the region.
Image: Hindustan Times
The villagers often hit these leopards fearing that this wild animal would attack their domestic animals or even kids. Despite the assurance of safety from the forest department, villagers are still practicing animal cruelty and killing leopards to protect themselves and their cattle.
This “revenge killing” seems fair to them but it’s not good for the leopards, which are already declining in population. Probably the forest department in the state needs to take more strict measures to protect the animal while keeping villagers’ safety in mind.
Via: The Hindu
