Man-eating leopard attacks drunks heading home at night

The fierce creature has reportedly killed 12 in India since 2012. But 'I'm sure you won't taste any better because you've consumed liquor,' says a wildlife expert.

BY David Harding

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Saturday, September 13, 2014

PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images A leopard in India has reportedly killed 12 since 2012.

A man-eating leopard in India is targeting drunks as they stumble home in the dark.
The big cat is believed to have killed 12 people in a Himalayan village since 2012.
Its latest victim was a 44-year-old man who was attacked on Thursday.
Villagers are said to be living in a state of fear that the leopard will attack again.
Local Madan Panerua told the Telegraph, "villagers are terrorized by the wild animals and it's almost impossible to venture out after dark. Moving from one village to another or to markets through forested area becomes difficult.
"People carry sticks with them and remain alert all the time. Many in the village believe that drunk people are easy prey for the wild."
Many of those who have been attacked by the leopard were savaged after they left an outdoor toilet.

DINUKA LIYANAWATTE/REUTERS A leopard is targeting drunks, say local villagers.

Two of the dead were women. Another four people have been injured.
The leopard is thought to be around 12 years old and may be attacking humans as it is no longer able to catch prey in the wild.
Belinda Wright who works for the Wildlife Protection Society of India, said the animal is not necessarily targeting drunks.
"Quite frankly when people are drunk and weave their way back home to the village they are easy prey," she told the Telegraph.
"I'm sure you won't taste any better because you've consumed liquor."

source