19-05-2025
Shepherd injured in leopard attack in Sangli
Kolhapur: Amid growing leopard menace in Sangli district, a shepherd was attacked by the big cat at Vategaon village. The injured shephard is currently hospitalised in a private Islampur hospital.
Doctors have said he is in stable condition.
Sangli Forest Department informed that Tanaji Vilas Chavan, the shepherd from Ramosdara, went to graze his goats and sheep on Sunday at 5pm. While the herd was grazing, a leopard suddenly appeared from the bushes and attacked Tanaji from behind.
Other herdsmen accompanying Tanaji tried to counter-attack the leopard, after which the wild cat escaped into the sugarcane farms.
Tanaji suffered injuries in his arms, legs and chest.
Meanwhile, in another incident, a leopard killed 12 goats at Aitawade Khurd village in Shirala district. The incident has caused fear among farmers in the surrounding region. Villagers are demanding that the forest department trap the leopard and keep it inside a zoo.
The killings caused shepherd Popat Chandar Shirsale a loss of over Rs 1 lakh. Forest officials on inspection spotted a leopard's pugmarks at the site.
