Mysuru: Man-eater Leopard kills 11-year-old boy, locals living in panic

T. Narasipur/Mysuru: In another incident of Man-animal conflict in the region, an 11-year-old boy in Horalhalli Village here was mauled to death by a leopard.

The latest incident has set panic among locals as this is the second such death in the past 3 days and the fourth death in the past 3 months.

The half-eaten mortal remains of the boy, identified as Jayant, were found in a bush on Sunday about a kilometer away from the village. The boy had gone missing on Saturday night.

It is suspected that the same leopard attacked and killed Siddamma of Kannayakanahalli village on Friday.

As the attacks happened within a range of 6 km, therefore, the forest officials have expressed suspicion that these killings may be by the same leopard.  Sources said that as the leopard has turned into a man-eater, shoot-at-sight orders have been given.

Following these incidents, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has ordered the formation of a special team to trace the leopard. Speaking to the media in Mysuru, he said that the forest officers have been instructed to form a special team.

Recent leopard attack deaths

• October 31, 2022 –  Leopard killed a college student at Mallikarjuna Hill near Bannur
• December 01, 2022 – Leopard attacked and killed another college student at M.L. Hundi near Bannur.
• January 20, 2023 – An old woman in Kannanayakanahalli of T.Naraseepur taluk killed
• January 21, 2023 – An 11-year-old boy was killed in Horalhalli village of T Narseepur taluk