DAHANU: A leopard attack in Narpar village, Dahanu taluka, Palghar district, has reignited fear among locals after it killed a calf in the early hours of Tuesday, July 8. The big cat entered the premises of villager Kalpesh Patil and mauled the calf, which died on the spot. Clear pugmarks were found in the wet mud, confirming the predator’s presence.
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Niranjan Diwakar, confirmed the incident. “Yes, there was a leopard attack on a calf. Our rescue team has been deployed, and we’ve installed trap cameras in the area. We are monitoring the situation closely and have urged residents to exercise caution,” he said.
The attack is the latest in a string of leopard-related incidents that have left villagers anxious and on edge. Despite efforts by the forest department, the leopard continues to roam freely, and its frequent sightings have triggered growing unrest in the area.
In May alone, two separate attacks left at least five people injured, including a forest range officer. Earlier, in Talasari taluka, the same or another leopard is believed to have raided a rabbit breeding farm, killing between 60 to 70 rabbits and consuming about a dozen.
Each time such an attack occurs, the forest department responds by setting up trap cameras in the hope of capturing images of the elusive predator. However, these efforts have so far failed to yield any success.
The repeated incidents and the failure to capture or relocate the leopard have left the local community feeling vulnerable. With the big cat still at large, residents are demanding stronger action and long-term solutions to ensure their safety and protect their livestock.
