A 22-year-old woman, Anjali, tragically lost her life following a leopard attack near her home in Durgam village, Gudiyatham, Vellore district on Wednesday, officials reported.
Incident Details
- Victim: Anjali, the youngest daughter of Sivalingam, had recently completed her graduation.
- Attack: She went alone to the nearby protected forest to graze cows around 2 PM. When she did not return by 3 PM, her father went searching and found her lifeless body in a pool of blood, indicating a leopard attack.
- Response: Neighbors alerted the forest department and the local KV Kuppam police. Officials inspected the scene and confirmed the cause of death.
Official Statement
Vellore District Collector Subbulakshmi addressed the media, expressing condolences and promising swift action:
- “Immediate measures will be taken to capture the leopard and ensure the safety of residents living near the forest areas. Arrangements will be made to enable them to live without fear,” she stated.
Background
Durgam village, located under Melmayil Panchayat in Vellore district, is situated near a protected forest area where human-wildlife conflict occasionally occurs. Local residents have voiced concerns about the increasing presence of wild animals near human settlements, which poses a threat to their safety and livelihood.
Next Steps
- Forest Department Action: Efforts are underway to locate and capture the leopard to prevent further incidents.
- Community Safety: Authorities have pledged to implement additional safety measures for those living near forested areas.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in regions bordering forest areas, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to safeguard human lives while conserving wildlife.