Jalgaon: The human-wildlife conflict in Maharashtra took an extremely tragic turn after a two-month-old child was taken away and devoured by a suspected leopard.
The child was asleep beside her mother on a cot near their farmland, in the Chopda Taluka of the Jalgaon district, when the incident occurred, News18 reported.
It has led to distress and anxiety across the region, leaving villagers shaken and alarmed.
According to authorities, the incident occurred near the forested area of Mamalde village. The family had been staying in their agricultural field along with their cattle, a common practice in the area.
The infant was sleeping with her mother on the night of the incident. However, by morning, when the family awoke, the baby was nowhere to be found. What began as confusion quickly turned into panic as the family realised something was terribly wrong.
A search was conducted in the surrounding areas and the family’s worst fears were realised after pieces of flesh were found a few metres away from their resting place, near a pile of wheat straw in the field.
A large number of people rushed to the spot after the child’s mother alerted nearby villagers, and news of the incident spread rapidly.
The police and revenue officials, including the tehsildar, also reached the site and an investigation began. A forensic team also visited the site to examine evidence and gather further details regarding the incident.
While officials have indicated that it appears to be a case involving a wild animal, preliminary findings suggest that a leopard may have been responsible for the attack. There is no confirmation yet.
Sub-divisional police officer Annasaheb Gholap that an accidental death has been registered at the Chopda City Police Station.
The Chopda Taluka has witnessed multiple leopard-related incidents in recent times, with several animals previously injured or killed in such attacks. However, this tragic incident marks a disturbing escalation, as it involves the loss of a human life.
There is fear and anger among residents, who are now demanding stronger measures to address the increasing presence of wild animals in human settlements. The atmosphere across the village and surrounding areas remains tense, with many people expressing concern for their safety.
Wildlife experts say that immediate steps need to be taken to bring the situation under control to prevent the wanton killing of animals.
