Leopard kills Buddhist monk meditating in Maharashtra forest

A Buddhist monk meditating in a forest in Maharashtra died of a leopard attack on Wednesday according to reports. This tragic incident happened in the Tadoba forest, which is a protected tiger reserve, officials say. The monk, now identified as Rahul Walke, had been ‘meditating under a tree’ when he was attacked. According to sources, Walke had been attached to a Buddhist temple which is inside the forest but had stayed away too far for his spiritual search.

Forest officials said the monk had been warned before his venture into the feline zone. "I would like to tell everyone not to go inside the forest," GP Narawane, a forest official told BBC Marathi.

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However, now there are plans to capture the leopard. "We have set up two cages and a camera trap, and we will try to tranquilise the animal," Narawane said.

A fellow monk, who found the body, told BBC Marathi that he had seen the animal attack when he had rushed back to regroup help but found . Walke dead on returning. He said that he had gone to give the meditating monk food and water on Wednesday morning. 

State government officials said they will reimburse Walke's family Rs 1.2 million (approximately 12 lakh). The Tadoba reserve is a protected area that is home to about 88 tigers. And other animals such as leopards, sloth bears, hyenas and honey badgers.