- Uttar Pradesh, India -
On Thursday, April 23, in two different incidents, two leopard cubs were beaten to death by villagers in the Katarniaghat wildlife division, which is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR).
Reportedly, the cubs had ventured out of the forest and strayed into the agricultural fields.
According to Mr. Sanjay Pathak, field director of DTR, both cubs were killed with sharp-edged weapons.
Divisional Forest Officer Singh, said that a FIR (First Initial Report) has been registered against a total of nine persons.
The first incident took place in Majra village in the Kakraha area of the division, where a three-year-old female cub was beaten to death by villagers. She died on the spot.
Officer Singh said that a FIR has been registered against six individuals in this case in Murtiha police station.
The second incident happened in Dhaniyabeli village of Sujauli range.
A 1-year-old cub entered the house of one Chhotelal.
The cub was then chased out and strayed into a field.
Forest staff went after the young feline and managed to confine the cub in a sugarcane field but the poor baby was discovered dead.
A FIR has been registered against three persons in this case.
An investigation is in progress and actions could be taken against more people if they are found to be involved.
Action is also being taken under the Indian Wildlife Act.
The picture showing two leopard cubs is for illustrative purposes only.
