An 86-year-old woman was mauled to death inside her thatched hut in the Sujauli range near the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) late on Thursday night.
The latest death comes even as the forest department has trapped four animals in the past four days. Earlier, the department had reported that 15 leopards had been rescued from populated areas since July 21 amid flooding and waterlogging in the Katarniaghat forest. The latest victim was identified as Phoolwati, 86, wife of late Prabhu, a resident of Sitarampurwa (Nahar Bazar) in Bajpur Bankati gram panchayat.
She was sleeping alone in her small thatched hut near the Sitarampurwa canal when the leopard entered the dwelling and attacked her, according to villagers.
The hut reportedly had no proper door and was secured only with a piece of coarse sack (taat). Hearing her screams, family members and neighbours rushed towards the hut, but by then the leopard had dragged her away. Her body was found on Friday morning near a drain behind the house.
