Villagers kill leopard in central Kashmir

Srinagar Apr 4: A leopard was killed by villagers in the central Kashmir district of Badgam early this morning, official sources said.

They said a leopard entered the village from nearby forest area early this morning. However, before he could attack anyone, villagers attacked and killed him.

Wild animals had come down from the woods in January in search for food following the heaviest snowfall in Kashmir valley in 20 years, posing a threat to people residing in upper reaches of the valley of being attacked by them. The Wildlife Department has directed people living in villages adjacent to forests to remain cautious against the movement of wild animals who have now turned towards plains in the wake of heavy snowfall on upper reaches.

Official sources said more than two dozen people were killed and at least 40 others wounded by wild animals in the Kashmir valley during the past one year.

However, in retaliation, people also killed four wild animals in the valley during the same period. A number of animals loving organisation protested against these killings. The villagers have, however, rejected these protests saying the wild animals killed and injured people, including women and children.

UNI