RAUTAHAT, AUGUST 6
Weeks of fear over a mysterious animal that repeatedly attacked goats and other livestock in several Rautahat villages came to an end after forest officials identified the predator as a hunting dog caught in a specially installed trap.
The breakthrough came after the Division Forest Office, Rautahat, deployed a technical team from Chitwan to investigate the attacks. The dog was captured in a special trap set in the Auraiya area, ending speculation over the identity of the animal.
According to Division Forest Office Chief Manoj Kumar Thakur, an unidentified predator had been entering livestock sheds at night and killing goats and other domestic animals in Garuda Municipality, Ishnath Municipality and Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality over the past month. The repeated attacks, particularly in Jaynagar of Garuda-1, had left local residents alarmed.
Investigators initially analysed footprints, attack patterns and other field evidence, which led them to suspect a hunting dog. The forest office then coordinated with Chitwan National Park, Parsa National Park and the National Trust for Nature Conservation to mobilise a specialist team.
The technical team eventually captured the suspected hunting dog in a specially designed trap. Forest officials said further examination is underway to confirm its identity and behaviour.
Preliminary findings suggest the dog may have crossed into Nepal from the Indian state of Bihar, although authorities said this has yet to be conclusively established.
The Division Forest Office has urged residents to remain vigilant, strengthen the protection of livestock and immediately inform forest officials or security agencies if they notice any suspicious wild or stray animals in their communities.
