A human-eating leopard in India is targeting drunks as they stumble home at night, The New York Daily News reported on Saturday.
The wildcat is believed to have killed 12 people in a Himalayan village since 2012. Its most recent victim was a 44-year-old man who was attacked on Thursday.
Villagers are said to be living in a state of constant fear that the leopard will attack again.
Local Madan Panerua told The Telegraph: "Villagers are terrorized by the wild animals and it's almost impossible to venture out after dark. Moving from one village to another or to markets through forested area becomes difficult."
"People carry sticks with them and remain alert all the time. Many in the village believe that drunk people are easy prey for the wild."
Many of those who have been attacked by the leopard were mauled after they left an outdoor toilet.
Two of the deceased were women. Another four people have been injured.
The leopard is believed to be around 12 years old and may be attacking humans because it is no longer able to catch prey in the wild.
Belinda Wright, who works for the Wildlife Protection Society of India, said the animal is not necessarily targeting drunks because they like them more.
"Quite frankly, when people are drunk and weave their way back home to the village, they are easy prey," she told the Telegraph. "I'm sure you won't taste any better because you've consumed liquor."
