Toddler Mauled To Death By Leopard While Playing Outside Home, Shoot-At-Sight Order Issued For Animal

A leopard mauled a toddler to death in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.

The victim, identified as three-year-old Chandana, was playing in front of her home Saturday night when she was attacked by the big cat. The girl was dragged away during the vicious attack and her disfigured body was found a few meters from her home.

Following the incident, a shoot-at-sight order was issued for the man-eater leopard.

"So far, stray leopards have killed four people in the region. People are living in fear because of this rampant menace in Hebburu villages. Notwithstanding any opposition, I will order my officials to shoot the leopards at sight," said Forest Minister Anand Singh on Sunday.

This decision was, however, opposed by environmentalists who felt shooting the animal would worsen the situation.

T V N. Murthy, an environmentalist, said, “If they shoot the wrong leopard, the behavior of the other leopards living in that area will also change, and it may also disrupt the gender ratio of leopards. If they kill a mother leopard, then there is a possibility that the cubs of that mother will turn into man-eaters, or the cubs may die without food.”