Bengaluru, July 8: In a tragic turn of events, locals in Karadigudda village in Karnataka's Raichur district killed a five-year-old male leopard on July 7 after the big cat injured four villagers. This incident sparked a tense standoff between villagers and forest officials who were trying to rescue the leopard. The forest department will take action against the people who were involved in killing of the animal under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

One of the forest officials said the leopard first attacked a villager in Karadigudda village while he was going to defecate in the morning. Seeing this alarming situation, three villagers rushed for his aid, scaring away the big cat. However, the leopard ended up injuring them. Leopard Injured, Biker Fractures His Leg After Collision on Ramanagara-Magadi Road in Karnataka, Video Surfaces.

The Injured, identified as Ranganath Nayak (30), Papanna Raju (35), N Ramu Gowda (26), and B Nagaraj (28), all from Karadigudda, were taken to Devadurga Taluk Government Hospital. They are currently receiving medical care for their injuries.

The official added that despite informing the forest department, the villagers took control in their hands and rushed to the site to capture the wild animal armed with sticks and stones. "The forest officials were informed by villagers around 9:30 am on Sunday about the sighting of the leopard. It first attacked Ranganatha Nayak around 8 am," B Praveen, Raichur district's Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying. Karnataka Shocker: Woman Dies During Illegal Abortion in Bagalkot District, Parents Arrested.

The villagers searched the leopard and attacked him with sticks and stones repeatedly, which eventually resulted in the killing of the big cat. The leopard was killed in the absence of forest officials. The situation became chaotic and crowded, which was handled by a mild lathi charge.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Praveen said, "The leopard was spotted in Kambadala village of Devadurga taluk. As soon as the matter came to our notice, our taluk officials and staff went to the spot. The crowd killed the leopard. Currently, the carcass of the leopard has been sent for post-mortem. After receiving the post-mortem report, necessary action will be taken based."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2024 11:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).