Leopard Attack In Dudhwa Buffer Zone Kills Seven-Year-Old, Seventh Big Cat Death This Year

A seven-year-old boy was killed in a leopard attack in the Dhaurahra forest range of the Dudhwa buffer zone , officials said on Monday, underscoring the escalating human–wildlife conflict in the region.

The incident took place on Sunday evening in Laljipurwa village under the Isanagar police station limits when the boy, identified as Shubham , had gone with his father to irrigate their agricultural field. Officials said a leopard suddenly emerged from nearby vegetation and attacked the child.

According to police, the animal mauled the boy before fleeing the spot after the father and villagers raised an alarm and chased it away. Shubham was immediately rushed to the Khamaria Community Health Centre , where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment .

Forest officials confirmed the incident, with Dudhwa Buffer Zone Deputy Director Kirti Choudhary expressing condolences to the bereaved family. She said forest teams with cages and camera traps have been deployed to locate and capture the leopard responsible for the attack.

Sub-Divisional Officer Manoj Tiwari said joint teams of forest and revenue officials visited the village and advised residents to avoid venturing out alone during dusk and night hours , when wildlife movement is more likely.

Officials further stated that this incident marks the seventh human death due to big cat attacks this year in the Dudhwa buffer zone, including six fatalities caused by leopards and one by a tiger . Around half a dozen people have also been injured in similar incidents during the same period.

Following the attack, angry villagers staged a protest on the Khamaria–Isanagar road demanding the immediate capture of the leopard. Police and administrative officials later reached the spot and pacified the protesters after assurances of action .

Dhaurahra BJP MLA Vinod Shankar Awasthi also visited the village, expressed condolences, and assured residents of strict action by the forest department . The protest was later withdrawn after assurances from authorities.

The body of the child was sent for post-mortem examination , officials added.

The repeated incidents have heightened concerns over safety in buffer zone villages surrounding protected forest areas , where human presence and wildlife movement increasingly overlap.