Leopard kills 8-year-old boy in Odisha’s Nuapada; forest personnel recover body

Nuapada: A boy aged around eight years was picked up by a leopard and later mauled to death while the minor identified as Dambarudhar Dharua was playing near his house in Katingapali village under Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary of Nuapada district, today evening at around 5.30 pm.

The deceased’s body was recovered by forest personnel from the sanctuary later in the day.

Palpable tension and fear prevailed in and around the village following the fatal mishap.

“The unfortunate incident took place when the boy was playing in the village yard. A leopard entered the village and dragged the boy into a nearby forest before we could help him out,” some locals said.

“A few days ago, we had spotted two leopards roaming in the peripheral areas of the forest. Although leopards were previously spotted in the Nuapada forest range, it is for the first time that a leopard has entered into Katingapali area,” the locals added.

Forest officials reached the village after being informed about the incident. A probe was initiated.

Meanwhile, local police seized the body and sent it to Nuapada district headquarters hospital (DHH) for post-mortem. The body will be handed over to his family after the autopsy, a cop said.

Locals demanded adequate compensation to the deceased’s next of kin.

When contacted, Nuapada wildlife ranger Gajendra Pal Singh Mathur said, “A leopard dragged a child into the forest near Babapada when the minor was playing. Forest personnel with the help of some locals recovered the minor’s body and took him to the hospital but to no avail.”

“As per provisions of the State government, a compensation of Rs 6 lakh will be given to the deceased’s family. We will propose to the Government through Department higher-ups for adequate fencing and solar lighting in the nearby areas to prevent animal intrusion,” the forest official added.