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Fatal wild leopard attack injuries in Uttarakhand, India
Swapan Debbarma1, Ashish R Bhute1, Vikas Vaibhav1
1Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, AIIMS Rishikesh, Rishikesh, India.
The Medico-Legal Journal
|December 3, 2021
Summary
Leopard attacks in Uttarakhand, India, are frequent. This study analyzed eight fatal incidents, revealing injuries occurred near settlements, with head/neck wounds indicating ante-mortem attacks.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife conflict studies
- Forensic pathology
- Conservation biology
Background:
- Leopard attacks pose a significant threat in Uttarakhand, a vital national conservation area.
- Human-wildlife conflict is escalating, necessitating research into attack patterns and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the injury patterns and circumstances of leopard attacks on humans.
- To identify strategies for mitigating human-leopard conflict in the region.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of autopsy reports for eight fatal leopard attack cases.
- Data collection on victim demographics, location, and injury types.
Main Results:
- Eight deaths occurred between January 2019 and August 2020, primarily in forest areas adjacent to human settlements.
- Victims included one male tourist and several women engaged in domestic activities near forests.
- Ante-mortem injuries were concentrated on the head and neck, while post-mortem injuries were found on the abdomen, buttocks, and limbs.
Conclusions:
- Implementing alternative livelihood options for communities bordering protected areas is crucial.
- Enhanced warnings for tourists regarding potential dangers in leopard-prone zones are recommended.
- Understanding attack dynamics is key to developing effective human-leopard conflict mitigation strategies.
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