A leopard, which had been on the prowl at a forest-side village in Idukki and feasted on the livestock of the villagers, was killed by local residents on September 3.
The incident took place at Mankulam village early when the beast attacked Gopalan, a resident of the Chikkanamkudy tribal colony near here. The animal crossed Gopalan's path when he was on his way to visit his brother.
Even as the man mounted a counterattack using a machete, an angry group of villagers who rushed to the spot, rained stones and sticks on the animal. A preliminary investigation by the Forest department suggested that the animal had been killed in self-defence. Its carcass has been sent for a post-mortem examination and a detailed probe is on.
Praveen Joseph, a block panchayat committee member, said the animal had strayed into the village several days ago and since then had been devouring the cattle reared by the villagers. Based on a complaint, the Forest department had placed a cage along with camera traps in the village .
“We strongly suspect that this animal had been trapped by the Forest department on an earlier occasion before being released into the forest,” he said.
