A Buddhist monk had recently
met his death while he was praying under a tree.
The monk who was deep in
meditation was ambushed by a leopard who probably lived on the tree or around
the vicinity.
The animal attacked the man viciously and subsequently killed him
on the spot.
Happening in India, the monk, identified as
35-year-old Rahul Walke been meditating under the tree in the Tadoba forest,
which was located far away from the historical Buddhist temple where he resided
for a month before he was attacked on Wednesday.
Another monk from the same
temple had reported that he saw the leopard attacking Walke as he approached
the meditation spot to bring him food that morning, but by the time he returned
with help Walke was dead.
Gajendra Narwane, deputy
director of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, said forest officials warned the
monks about the presence of wild animals, including leopards, in the area and
had warned them to stay away.
The reserve in the east
Maharashtra district is home to about 88 tigers as well as other animals
including leopards, hyenas and honey badgers.
Walke's body was recovered
and state government officials said they will give his family $16,762.