Temple Priest Killed in Suspected Leopard Attack in Magadi Taluk

A 60-year-old farmer and temple priest was found dead in his agricultural field following a suspected leopard attack at Kalludevanahalli village in Magadi taluk on Monday morning.

The incident has intensified concerns regarding human-wildlife conflict in rural fringes near Bengaluru, prompting angry residents to stage protests against the Forest Department over alleged inaction.

The deceased, identified as Shivaswamy, served as a priest at the local Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple. According to police and local accounts, he had left his residence around 6:30 a.m. and walked to his farmland to pluck flowers for daily rituals.

A neighbouring farmer arrived at the plot roughly an hour later and discovered Shivaswamy lying motionless in a pool of blood, prompting immediate distress calls to his family members and villagers.

Investigators noted that a basket of freshly gathered flowers lay scattered near the body, bearing signs of a sudden pounce. Local residents pointed out that cattle had been mauled by a leopard in the same vicinity only a few days prior, heightening community anxiety.

Protesters gathered at the scene to voice their anger against forest authorities, claiming that repeated warnings regarding straying big cats had gone unheeded. Demonstrators demanded immediate operations to capture or neutralize the animal, alongside permanent safety measures and financial compensation for the bereaved family.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Ramakrishnappa and Range Forest Officer Nethravathi visited the site to assess the situation and confer with local leaders. Forest officials assured grieving relatives that statutory compensation would be disbursed promptly and that tracking operations would commence without delay.

Local police have registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR). Authorities stated that the precise cause of death will be verified following the completion of the postmortem examination.