Leopard mauls woman to death near Bengaluru, forest officials launch search operation

In a tragic incident, a 50-year-old farm woman was killed and partially devoured by a leopard at the foothills of Shivagange in Nelamangala taluk, about 50 km from Bengaluru, late Sunday evening.

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The victim, identified as Kariyamma, was harvesting grass for her livestock when the leopard attacked her. The animal dragged her body nearly 50 meters before it became lodged in a crevice, where the body was reportedly decapitated and abandoned.

Forest officials have described the incident as a rare occurrence, as leopards in the region typically prey on cattle and stray dogs. This marks the first human fatality caused by a leopard in several years in the area.

The forest department has intensified efforts to capture the leopard, setting up seven cages and deploying camera traps around the site. Over 50 personnel and veterinarians are involved in the operation, with plans to introduce a Tumakuru cage—a specialized enclosure camouflaged with foliage—if the leopard remains elusive.

Witnesses reported that Kariyamma raised an alarm during the attack, prompting nearby shepherds to intervene. However, the leopard’s aggression forced them to retreat. Her decapitated body was discovered later and handed over to her family following a postmortem.

Forest officials noted this is the second recorded case of a leopard killing a human in the Bengaluru Circle. Efforts to locate and trap the big cat continue.