Angry villagers burnt a leopard alive on Wednesday evening, even after the animal was captured alive in Dhandhar village, on the outskirts of the world famous Corbett National Park.
According to Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Conservator S K Chandola, "Irate villagers forcibly took custody of the leopard that was captured and put in a cage and was being taken away by departmental officials."
He said, "The villagers doused the caged leopard with petrol and threw a lit match-stick inside the cage sending the animal up in flames."
Chandola said, "Even though there were about 35 wildlife officials and four policemen, they were overpowered by a mob of 300-400 people who would not let the officials go anywhere close to the burning animal who kept wailing and roaring inside the cage until he met his end."
Contrary to some reports, which said the animal had killed a few persons over the past few days, Chandola clarified, "The leopard had apparently strayed from the periphery of Corbett reserve area and was reported to have attacked and wounded three persons on Wednesday."
Wildlife enthusiasts blamed wildlife officials for not ensuring protection to the leopard which is listed among the endangered species and it killing entails imprisonment up to seven years.
While a FIR had been registered against an unnamed mob, no one has been arrested so far.
