Beed, Maharashtra: A 36-year-old farmer from Bavi village in Ashti taluka, Beed district, was killed in a leopard attack while tending to his cattle in his field, officials reported. Incidents of leopards entering villages near forest areas have increased recently, posing a growing threat to farmers and local residents.
The farmer went missing after heading to the field for agricultural work. When he did not return home, his family alerted neighbors, who suspected a leopard attack and informed the police and forest officials. A joint search by villagers and forest authorities led to the recovery of a partially eaten body.
Authorities have registered a case and sent the body for post-mortem examination. Forest officials stated that the report will confirm whether the death was directly caused by the leopard attack or due to other reasons. The incident highlights the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in villages bordering forested areas in the state.