Leopard that had claimed 2 lives dies after being caught

A leopard, captured by the Gujarat forest department after it reportedly attacked and killed two people in Chhotaudepur district, died of injuries at a rescue centre, officials said Wednesday.

The leopard was believed to have attacked four people in separate incidents within two days, claiming two lives including a toddler.

The animal was captured Monday at Bandi in Pavijetpur taluka, said Deputy Conservator of Forest Nilesh Pandya.

It was shifted to the Pavagadh rescue centre after it was tranquilised.

"The leopard already had an injury on its leg. It died a day after its capture," said Pandya.

"If no attack takes place in that area now, it will be established that it was the same leopard which had attacked humans. If attacks continue, we have to plan accordingly," said Pandya.

On January 4, 50-year-old farmer Balu Rathwa, working in his cotton field in Vavdi village of Pavijetpur, was attacked and killed by a leopard.

Three more persons were attacked in the nearby areas on January 6, said Pandya.

"While a two and a half years old boy died of injuries, an 8-year-old girl was critically injured. On the same day, another local was also attacked. However, he received minor injuries," said Pandya.