UP: Several injured in leopard attack in North Kheri Forest Division

Lakhimpur Kheri (UP): A man was injured in a leopard attack near a village in the Dhaurahra range of North Kheri Forest Division here in Uttar Pradesh. Several villagers, a forest guard and a police officer were also injured when they tried to rescue the man, officials said on Wednesday.

A resident of Baburi village in the Dhaurahra Kotwali area, was at a nearby brick kiln on Tuesday when a four-year-old leopard hiding there suddenly attacked him and attempted to drag him towards a nearby banana orchard.

However, Mihilal (35) fought back, grappling with the animal and grabbing it by the neck, officials said.

A viral video of the incident shows Mihilal holding the leopard as villagers rushed in, hurling bricks at the animal to drive it away.

During the chaos, the leopard lashed out, injuring several villagers, a forest guard, and a police officer. Shortly afterward, the leopard was subdued and tranquilised with the help of forest department officials and others.

Saureesh Sahay, deputy field director, Dudhwa buffer zone, told PTI that the injured leopard was taken to the Dhaurahra range headquarters. Its condition will be assessed once it regains consciousness, he said.

Those injured in the attack have been admitted to the district hospital and are said to be out of danger.

In a separate incident earlier the same day, forest officials rescued another leopard that was sick and visibly shivering in Jatpurwa village in the Shardanagar area. Passersby alerted authorities, who captured and transported the ailing animal for medical evaluation, officials said.

Veterinarians from Dudhwa are currently examining both leopards. Further steps will be taken based on the results of these assessments, they said.