Shrirur was left in shock on Tuesday evening when a four-year-old girl fell victim to a leopard attack in Pimpalsuti village. This tragic incident marks the third human fatality in leopard attacks in the region in the past two months, raising concerns among residents and officials alike.
The victim, identified as Raksha Vijay Nikam, was playing in her family’s courtyard when the leopard pounced on her around 7 pm. Despite her parents’ frantic efforts to save her, the predator dragged Raksha nearly 500 meters into a nearby sugarcane field. Her lifeless and mutilated body was later discovered by local residents and forest officials.
Assistant Conservator of Forests, Smita Rajhans, assured that measures are being taken to capture the leopard, with traps and cameras being deployed in the area. The focus is on following standard operating procedures to ensure the safety of residents.
The recent surge in leopard attacks in Pune district has raised concerns, with 10 confirmed deaths and one suspected fatality reported since April. MP Amol Kolhe expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in the leopard sterilization project, calling for urgent action to address the issue.
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Amol Satpute, highlighted the challenging circumstances of the attack in Pimpalsuti, noting that a power outage had plunged the area into darkness at the time, potentially worsening the situation.
In response to the alarming trend of leopard attacks, State Chief Wildlife Warden Vivek Khandekar announced plans to implement artificial intelligence (AI) and animal intrusion detection systems on a larger scale to prevent such incidents in the future. The community remains on edge as efforts are made to ensure the safety of residents in leopard-prone areas.
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