When Animal Attacks Men 6 leopard attacks within last year

By ISHWAR RAUNIYAR & JENEE RAI KATHMANDU, July 22 - Shyam Krishna Maharjan dreamt of leopards chasing him for three consecutive months, and is still afraid of any bushes or dense forests. He was attacked by a leopard a year ago in Manamaiju. “My hand had completely gone inside its mouth. But I used my other hand to push it away,” he said. The big cat had entered his village during the evening, and a crowd of 200 had gathered around the bush where it was hiding. Maharjan was part of the crowd, and had pushed himself to the forefront to get a better view. “It suddenly attacked without any provocation. My entire life flashed in front of my eyes.” Within the last year itself, six cases of leopard attacks have been recorded in the valley. At least three leopards were killed by various groups—villagers and the police—in these attacks. Data available with the Wildlife Watch Group (WWG), a non-governmental organisation, says that at least 25 people have been killed in the 10 years up to 2004 inside the Valley and neighbouring Kavrepalanchok, and at least 102 have been injured in attacks. Wildlife expert Karan Shah believes it is the fault of humans who provoke the animal by trying to "behave like heroes" when they saw a leopard. He said, "They collect weapons and try to chase the animal down, instead of informing the concerned authorities." According to him, leopards come most into contact with humans when they leave their mother's care in search of new territory. He added, "Inside the valley itself, the only way for the cats to cross from the Nagarjuna forests to Gokarna forests is through the streets of Kathmandu." Ghanshyam Gurung, conservation officer at the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, said, "Leopards are fond of dog meat, and enter the city in search of stray dogs." He thinks increased poaching of animals that form the leopard's natural prey has resulted in scarcity of food. Conservationists believe a multi-pronged approach is needed to limit the man-animal conflict. Shah believes the government should strictly implement prevailing wildlife laws. Mangal Man Shakya, chairman of WWG, said, "The habitat of the leopard should be mapped out and people should be made aware about protection."