In recent months, leopard attacks have been increasing in Bardiya. Looking at the incidents in the months of Falgun and Chaitra, children have been particularly targeted by leopards. During this period, three boys have been attacked by leopards.
Within one and a half months, one child has died from a leopard attack, while two others have been seriously injured, according to Ram Kumari Chaudhary, Information Officer at the Bardiya Division Forest Office. On Falgun 3, 2081 (Nepali calendar), at around 8 PM, a two-year-old boy, Rihan Chalune, fell victim to a leopard in Madhuwan Municipality-9, Dharmabasti. The child had come as a guest to his aunt’s house.
Similarly, on Chaitra 9, a leopard from Saraswati Community Forest in Madhuwan Municipality-4 attacked a four-year-old boy playing near Maya Nursery at around 6:30 PM. The child, Shubham Tharu, son of Munsiram Tharu from Gamakka, Madhuwan Municipality-4, was rescued in an injured state with the help of local residents.
Likewise, just this Wednesday at around 2 PM, a leopard attacked seven-year-old Sirjan Chaudhary in Indreni Tole, Gulariya Municipality-4. The leopard was seen dragging the child away from the house premises, but he was rescued with the help of locals.
The child sustained deep injuries to his neck. After initial treatment at Bardiya Hospital, Gulariya, he was referred to a nursing home in Nepalgunj for further treatment, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rishiram Gharti Magar of the Bardiya District Police Office.
As leopard attacks continue, local residents have become fearful. They have urged the authorities working in forest and environmental conservation to take necessary measures to control the terror caused by leopards.
