Leopard Encounter Humans : Surat, Gujarat – In a courageous act of valor, a 35-year-old tribal farmer, Prakash Chaudhary, and his quick-thinking wife, Parvati, faced a perilous encounter with a male leopard in their village of Ognisha, Mangrol taluka, Surat district. The incident unfolded highlighting the unexpected challenges faced by residents in the region.
According to details provided by the forest department officials of Surat, Prakash was attending to his livestock, giving fodder and water to cows, buffaloes, and goats near the back side of his house in the midst of an agricultural field. Suddenly, a leopard approached and attacked one of the calves.
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Hearing her husband’s desperate screams, Parvati rushed to the scene, armed with an axe. The leopard had turned its attention to Prakash, catching his head with both front paws in an attempt to control him. Parvati, displaying incredible bravery, intervened and struck the leopard repeatedly on its head with the axe, saving her husband from a potentially fatal situation.
The injured leopard sought refuge inside Prakash’s house, where Parvati promptly secured the front and back doors, trapping the big cat inside. She immediately contacted the village sarpanch, Soma Chaudhary, who, along with other villagers, reached the house. The sarpanch then informed the local forest officials about the situation.
Vankal range forest officer, Hiren Patel, detailed the subsequent actions taken by the forest department. They arrived at the spot with their staff and used a dart gun to tranquilize the injured leopard. The six-year-old leopard exhibited injuries on its neck and legs. Following the tranquilization, the big cat was transported to the Zankhvav rescue centre for initial treatment and later moved to the government Veterinary hospital at Navsari for further medical attention.
Prakash, who suffered injuries to his head, legs, and hands during the encounter, was rushed to the community health centre at Zankhvav in Mangrol. From there, he was shifted to Surat’s New Civil Hospital for more comprehensive treatment. Fortunately, Parvati emerged unscathed and is currently caring for her husband.
The village sarpanch, Soma Chaudhary, provided insights into the unique circumstances of the attack. He mentioned that Prakash’s family members were away in other talukas for work, leaving the couple alone in the house at the time of the incident. This was reportedly the first leopard attack in their village.
Surat’s forest department sources disclosed that Mangrol taluka hosts over 22 leopards. These elusive predators often hide amidst standing sugarcane crops and are known to attack the livestock of nearby villages, presenting a challenge for residents.
The incident underscores the need for heightened awareness and protective measures in areas where human-wildlife interactions are becoming more frequent. The bravery exhibited by Prakash and Parvati serves as a testament to the resilience of communities living in close proximity to wildlife, emphasizing the importance of coexistence and preparedness in the face of such challenges. Authorities and local communities alike may need to collaborate to implement strategies ensuring the safety of both residents and wildlife in the region.
