LUCKNOW: A 38-year-old woman was mauled to death by a leopard on Sunday while trying to save her teenage daughter in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich.
The attack occurred around 2 am in Ayodhyapurwa village under the Sujauli Range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division .
According to family members, Zarina Bano was sleeping on the roof of her house with her 17-year-old daughter, Nagma, when a leopard climbed up. Hearing a sound, Zarina woke up to find the big cat about to pounce on her daughter. She bravely intervened, trying to scare it away, but the leopard attacked her instead. It sank its jaws into her neck and leapt off the roof, dragging her to a nearby sugarcane field.
By the time her screams drew the attention of her husband Zakir, younger daughter Nagina, and other villagers, Zarina had succumbed to her injuries. Her face, chest, and neck were badly mauled.
Nagma, shaken and in tears, recounted the harrowing moment: “The leopard came for me, but my mother shielded me. She screamed to scare it off, but it grabbed her by the leg. I held onto her hand and screamed for help, but the leopard pounced again and dragged her away.”
Local police and forest department teams arrived by 3 am. While attempting to take the body for post-mortem, officers faced resistance from grieving family members. The police eventually convinced them with assurances of support. The family has been given an ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 by the forest department.
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and WWF teams also visited the village. Sanjay Singh, WTI coordinator, said traps are being set up to capture the leopard. Residents have been advised to avoid sleeping on rooftops at night.
DFO, Katarniaghat, Shiva Shankar, confirmed the attack to be by a leopard. “We have made teams and installed cages. A special team has been deployed which will remain on duty for 24 hours in shifts,” he said.
This is not the first such tragedy in the village. In the past two years, two children from the same family—Sheebu (8) and Aisa (5)—were killed in leopard attacks. Eight months ago, another child from the village, Saiba (10), was injured. Leopards have previously been captured in nearby villages including Tharu Purwa and Mohkam Purwa.
The frequent attacks have left villagers terrified, with calls growing louder for stronger wildlife containment and protection measures.
The attack occurred around 2 am in Ayodhyapurwa village under the Sujauli Range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division .
According to family members, Zarina Bano was sleeping on the roof of her house with her 17-year-old daughter, Nagma, when a leopard climbed up. Hearing a sound, Zarina woke up to find the big cat about to pounce on her daughter. She bravely intervened, trying to scare it away, but the leopard attacked her instead. It sank its jaws into her neck and leapt off the roof, dragging her to a nearby sugarcane field.
By the time her screams drew the attention of her husband Zakir, younger daughter Nagina, and other villagers, Zarina had succumbed to her injuries. Her face, chest, and neck were badly mauled.
Nagma, shaken and in tears, recounted the harrowing moment: “The leopard came for me, but my mother shielded me. She screamed to scare it off, but it grabbed her by the leg. I held onto her hand and screamed for help, but the leopard pounced again and dragged her away.”
Local police and forest department teams arrived by 3 am. While attempting to take the body for post-mortem, officers faced resistance from grieving family members. The police eventually convinced them with assurances of support. The family has been given an ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 by the forest department.
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and WWF teams also visited the village. Sanjay Singh, WTI coordinator, said traps are being set up to capture the leopard. Residents have been advised to avoid sleeping on rooftops at night.
DFO, Katarniaghat, Shiva Shankar, confirmed the attack to be by a leopard. “We have made teams and installed cages. A special team has been deployed which will remain on duty for 24 hours in shifts,” he said.
This is not the first such tragedy in the village. In the past two years, two children from the same family—Sheebu (8) and Aisa (5)—were killed in leopard attacks. Eight months ago, another child from the village, Saiba (10), was injured. Leopards have previously been captured in nearby villages including Tharu Purwa and Mohkam Purwa.
The frequent attacks have left villagers terrified, with calls growing louder for stronger wildlife containment and protection measures.
You may also like
Optional practical training under fire: Donald Trump nominee seeks to end post-graduation work
Trent Alexander-Arnold breaks down in tears as Liverpool lift Premier League trophy
Ruben Amorim makes promise to Man Utd fans in strong message on disastrous season
Premier League: Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle secure Champions League spots in dramatic final day
Syria welcomes US decision to ease Assad-era sanctions as 'positive step'
