NEW DELHI A nine-year-old boy was mauled to death by a leopard in the northern Indian State of Uttar Pradesh, the United News of India reported Monday.

The boy was attacked Friday in the Ratdoli village in the Himalayan District of Chamoli when he was returning home after celebrations to mark India's Republic Day.

Officials said wild animals like leopards and bears were moving to populated areas to look for food due to heavy snowfall in the upper Himalayan reaches.

(DPA)