Leopardess that attacked Palghar tribals trapped

The animal is a full-grown adult and won’t be released back into the forest

A leopardess that was declared problematic after she attacked tribals and preyed on a sizeable amount of their livestock and pets across villages in Palghar district, was trapped on Tuesday by officials from Forest Department, Dahanu. The big cat was lured into the trap by using a puppy as bait.

The leopardess was lured into the cage by using a puppy for bait (Photo credit : Yogesh Chandekar)

Nanasaheb Ladkat, deputy conservator of forest (DCF) ,Dahanu, confirmed the trapping of the carnivore in Amgaon village. “We used a puppy to lure the leopardess. It walked into the cage and was trapped,” he said.

He added that the animal is a full-grown, nine-year-old adult, and is undergoing treatment at a government veterinary hospital because she won’t be released back into the forest .

Read: Fear grips Palghar villages as leopardess attacks two

“She is dangerous. Though she has attacked a few people, we won’t shoot her, as we plan to keep her in a zoo. There are chances of her attacking people again if released into the wild. The animal suffered trauma after being captured and is undergoing treatment for it,”Ladkat said.

The Forest Department had installed four camera traps and two cages to capture the leopardess, which was accompanied by her cub. She kept searching for the young one even after getting trapped, the DCF said.

Attacks on human

A fortnight ago, Vasant Mahadu Zarim, 24, a resident of Amgaon, was attacked by the leopardess while he was passing through a forested patch. Zarim sustained injuries to the spinal cord and shoulder, among others and was rushed to Surat government hospital for treatment. He was later shifted to the JJ Hospital. But he failed to respond to the treatment following which his relatives got him discharged. Zarim later succumbed to the injuries at his residence.

“The Forest department will be giving a compensation of Rs8 lakh to Vasant Zarim’s family. The process will be initiated once his family submits the death certificate,” said Ladkat.

The leopardess had also attacked Dhansukh Dhodi and Damu Devji Walvi, both from Amgaon. While Dhodi was treated at a Gujarat hospital for the bites, Walvi escaped unhurt. Similarly, Devli Devlya Rabad of Dongri Chowkipada had a narrow escape when the big cat attacked her. In late August, the carnivore also preyed on the livestock and a pet dog owned by Sakrya Devji Waghat. It also devoured a goat and poultry belonging to Ram Thakre, and Ramji Nanju Wadu, respectively.