Leopard pounces on moving motorcycle in Rahata taluka, injuring woman riding pillion

Kolhar: A leopard attacked a woman riding pillion on a moving motorcycle on the Bhagwatipur–Pathare boundary in Rahata taluka on Friday evening, October 9. She suffered a serious leg injury and is being treated at the district hospital. Her husband, who was riding, kept his presence of mind, and both escaped.

The couple, from Pathare Budruk, were on their way from Pathare to Kolhar on an errand. Near the Kharde, Shinde and Patole settlements they saw two leopard cubs by the roadside. At that moment a female leopard roared and sprang at them from the other side of the road.

Villagers nearby rushed to the spot and chased the leopard away by shining torches and bursting firecrackers.

After the attack, Kopargaon range forest officer M. Y. Shaikh, forest guard Pratik Gajewar, wildlife warden Vikas Mhaske, Pathare sarpanch Umesh Gholap and Rahata market committee deputy chairman Annasaheb Kadu visited the injured woman's family. A cage is being set up in the area, Shaikh said. The attack has frightened residents, many of whom are now staying awake at night.

Source: Esakal