What Happened When a Leopard Attacked Forest Workers in Rajasthan?
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Jaipur, Dec 12 (NationPress) In a shocking incident, a leopard attacked members of a Forest Department rescue team in Negdiyan village, Rajsamand, on Friday, resulting in injuries to four forest workers.
The injured workers were swiftly carried by their colleagues to nearby vehicles and transported to Ananta Medical College Hospital for treatment.
This incident unfolded shortly after the team resumed efforts to capture the wounded leopard, which had been first sighted on the Gomti-Udaipur Highway the previous evening.
A rescue operation persisted until 2 am; however, the team was unable to tranquilize the leopard due to the challenging visibility at night.
The animal subsequently escaped into adjacent fields.
On Friday morning, forest personnel Pannalal (48), Harish Lohar (48), Ghanshyam Purbiya (32), and Girdhari Lal (35) approached the leopard with nets, only for the injured animal to launch a surprise attack from behind, injuring all four.
Pannalal, Ghanshyam, and Harish suffered injuries to their hands and legs but were released after receiving medical attention, while Girdhari, who sustained a leg injury, remains hospitalized.
Ranger Ladulal Sharma confirmed that the leopard, estimated to be seven years old, was found deceased in the field about thirty minutes after the attack.
The animal has been taken to Lilera Nursery in Nathdwara for a postmortem examination, which will reveal the precise cause of death.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the leopard may have been struck by a large vehicle or bus, as it exhibited difficulty in walking during the incident.
The forest department has advised local residents to exercise caution while traversing areas close to fields and highways, particularly in regions where wild animals have been sighted.
This incident follows an earlier tragedy where a seven-year-old boy lost his life to a leopard attack in Sawai Madhopur district.