Two persons, including a pregnant woman, were killed and 14 others sustained injuries in attacks by a leopard in four villages of Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari and Kondagaon districts since October 15, an official said on Friday.
The big cat was captured this morning, he added.
One person was killed and 10 others injured in Karipani, Bahigaon and Amanara villages in Dhamtari district, while a pregnant woman died and four others sustained injuries in adjoining Bastar Budra village in Kondagaon district, the official said.
"The leopard has attacked 16 persons since October 15, leaving two dead and 14 injured. It is unprecedented. Repeated attacks by leopards on several persons in different villages this way is unusual," said Bal Govind Sahu, Sub-Divisional Officer of Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sahu said the leopard's aggressive behaviour could be linked to a physical change or a possible rabies infection.
"The leopard was captured by villagers in Amanara on Friday morning and handed over to forest officials. The exact cause of its behaviour will be known only after medical examination. It is being shifted to Jungle Safari in Nava Raipur for examination and care by specialist veterinarians," Sahu added.
The leopard will be examined for possible rabies infection and other potential causes, Sahu said.
Meanwhile, the forest department has been making announcements in the affected villages, advising residents not to venture out of their homes.
Forest personnel continue to be deployed in the area, Sahu informed.
"Under government norms, immediate assistance of Rs 25,000 has been provided to kin of the deceased persons. Remaining compensation will be released after completion of formalities. The amount will be paid within 10-12 days. Financial assistance is also being provided to the injured," he said.
Another official said the leopard was first sighted on Wednesday in Bahigaon near Karipani, which falls under Sitanadi forest range of Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Efforts to capture it that day were in vain, he added.
The leopard entered Karipani village late Wednesday night and attacked Urmila Bai Markam (60), her brother Sundar Lal Netam (60) and their neighbour Manai Bai, the official said.
"It subsequently entered nearby Bastar Budra village on Thursday and attacked five villagers, including Ramshila Mandavi (27), who was pregnant. The animal later attacked other people in Karipani, Bahigaon and Amanara," the official said.
Mandavi succumbed to her injuries at a hospital in Kondagaon on Thursday, while Prabhu Parde (42), a resident of Amanara, was declared brought dead at Nagri hospital in Dhamtari district on Friday morning, the official said.
The remaining injured were admitted to hospitals in Dhamtari, Kondagaon and Kanker, he added.
On Friday morning, the leopard attacked four-year-old Suhani Markam in Amanara. Her father, Suresh Markam, confronted the animal to save his daughter, following which other villagers joined in and managed to overpower and capture it.
The animal was handed over to the forest personnel, said villagers.