Gujarat farmer injured in leopard attack

A farmer was attacked by a leopard in Gujarat’s Tapi district Thursday. The injured Manibhai Chaudhary, 43, was rushed to the government hospital where his condition is reported to be stable. The forest department has laid a cage to catch the wild cat where the incident occurred.

According to the forest department, a leopard hiding in the bushes on the outskirts of Kelkui village in Vyara taluk of Tapi district attacked the farm worker from behind when he was on his way to the field. Chaudhary lost his balance and fell down, but he struggled to save himself waving the long stick he was holding. The leopard then disappeared into the bushes.

Chaudhary sought the help of the villagers after the incident. The village headman intimated the forest officials and took the injured Chaudhary to hospital where his condition is reported to be stable.

The forest officials, after noting the pug marks, have installed a cage and placed bait outside. “If the need arises, we will install another cage to catch the leopard. We have also asked the villagers to walk in groups during night and hold wooden sticks with them. Never allow the children to walk alone in the village and avoid sleeping outside homes during the night,” said Anil Prajapati, in-charge RFO of Tapi.