Baripada: The partial remains of a man found in the Similipal forest area on June 1 were confirmed to be the result of a leopard attack, Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities informed on Monday.
Sadhu Naik, son of late Iswar Naik and a resident of Basantpur village under Ektali post office and Jashipur police station, was killed by the leopard. Villagers discovered his mutilated and partially eaten body in a bushy area near Kumudabadi. Despite intensive searches by the forest department and police in the surrounding forest, the remaining body parts could not be traced.
Initial observations were inconclusive, but samples and evidentiary materials were sent for laboratory analysis. The lab reports have now confirmed the involvement of a leopard. Hair samples collected from the victim’s body matched those of a leopard, and the puncture marks from canines were consistent with the size of a leopard.
This is the first recorded instance of a leopard killing a human in the Similipal surroundings, according to forest officials. They suspect the attack may have been accidental.
In response, the Similipal authorities have intensified precautionary measures in the vicinity. Patrol squads have been deployed for regular monitoring, AI cameras installed for real-time tracking of animal movement, and camera traps set up for daily surveillance.
Local residents have been advised not to venture alone into the forest during early morning and late evening hours. They should move in groups and immediately report any sighting or movement of wild animals to the nearest forest department camp. The laboratory findings have been shared with the police to complete the formal investigation. Forest officials are continuing to keep a close watch on the area to prevent further incidents.
