VADODARA: Eight blackbucks of the Kevadiya safari were killed by a leopard despite all the safety measures at the enclosure.The safari is surrounded by a forest area where the presence of leopards is known.
The leopard managed to sneak into the enclosure in Kevadiya Colony on Wednesday night and attacked the blackbucks. It managed to hold one blackbuck by its neck even as others panicked and started running to safety.
Divisional forest officer Agneeshwar Vyas said that an autopsy was conducted on all the dead blackbucks. He added that it came to light that one of them died due to the bite on its neck while, seven other blackbucks died due to shock. “They are sensitive animals and can die due to shock if they panic,” Vyas said.
The guards came to know of the attack and reached the enclosure. The leopard escaped from there on seeing the guards. A close eye is being kept on the safari, and its CCTV footage is being monitored.
Vyas said that the leopard was a sub-adult and may have strayed into the safari. “It is possible that it was looking to establish its territory and ended up entering the safari,” he added. He said that the fencing around the safari was being examined to ensure that it is secure.
