Leopard kills man in Bardiya, fourth fatal attack in six weeks
Leopard attack highlights growing human-wildlife conflict in Bardiya.
PC: Chungba Sherpa
A 35-year-old man was killed in a leopard attack in Bardiya district on Thursday afternoon, officials said, marking the fourth fatal attack by the big cat in the area in the past six weeks.
The victim, Nandu Rokaya of Tulsipur, Ward No. 5, in Gulariya Municipality, was attacked while cutting grass in the Janajagriti Community Forest in Bhelbhar, Ward No. 11 of Barbardiya Municipality, according to the Division Forest Office in Bardiya.
Shiv Bahadur KC, information officer at the forest office, said Rokaya was attacked inside the community forest near the Babai River.
Mahesh Ram Tharu, a local resident who witnessed the aftermath, said the leopard seized Rokaya by the neck, dragged him several metres and mauled him before villagers arrived after hearing his screams.
“The area does not have dense forest,” Tharu said. “There are a few shisham trees and sparse bushes along the riverbank. Fear has spread in the villages. People do not feel safe, and the attacks keep happening.”
Bardiya National Park is home to the country’s second-largest tiger population, with 125 tigers, according to a 2022 census. Chitwan National Park has the highest number, with 128.
Wildlife experts say leopards often move out of forested areas into buffer zones and nearby settlements to avoid encounters with tigers.
The latest incident follows a series of deadly wildlife attacks in the district. On January 21, Khidini Tharu, 56, was killed by a leopard while harvesting mustard in Belbhar village of Barbardiya Municipality. On December 30, Binita Pariyar, an 11th-grade student from Kothiya village in Madhuwan Municipality, was killed in a tiger attack while returning home from tuition classes. On December 24, Parwati Dangi, 53, was attacked while collecting fodder in Phenapati Community Forest.
A week earlier, 32-year-old Dinesh Chaudhari was killed by a tiger about 1.5 kilometres from the same area.
“In recent months, incidents involving leopards and other wildlife have increased,” said Bijay Kumar Chaudhari, chair of Ward No. 11 of Barbardiya Municipality. “Traps have been placed, but without success. Locals are demanding stronger measures, but we lack the means to deal with the animals.”
According to the Division Forest Office, since last August six people have been killed in leopard attacks, one in a tiger attack, and two in incidents involving wild elephants in Bardiya district.
