Jakarta, IO – A Javanese leopard died after being struck by stones and machetes by a group of honey-seeking residents in the forest area of Cikondang village, Sukabumi regency. Residents admitted they killed the big cat because they felt threatened when it suddenly appeared in the forest.
The photos of the dead endangered animal with the Latin name Panthera pardus melas were widely circulated on social media, per Detikcom, Monday (11/9). The incident happened when a group of residents were going to seek honey in the forest. Then suddenly something flashed past and was chased by the hunting dog they brought with them. When they approached, they encountered the leopard. Feeling threatened, they attacked it with stones.
“It was scary, the villagers attacked it with stones and hurt the animal. After that, they hacked it with a machete,” recounted Hidayah, Pasir Baru Village chief.
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In a separate statement, Kal, one of the residents who came face to face with the leopard, admitted that the situation at that time was very tense. They only thought about saving themselves when the leopard growled. Kal also rebutted the rumor saying that it was shot dead.
“We didn’t shoot it, we just used a machete in an attempt at self-defence because we were feeling threatened,” he explained. (bp)