Pune: A 70-year-old woman, Lakshmibai Khandu Thorat, watching television at her home was shocked to see a leopard had entered her home and waiting to attack her.
The woman, showing presence of mind, stayed calm and resisted the leopard and thereby saving her own life. The incident took place in Sumbhemala area in Ambegaon taluka of Pune district on Saturday (July 6) late night.
The incident has spread fear among the residents of Mahaluge Padwal and nearby villages such as Lauki, Kalamb, and Chandoli Budruk, where leopards have been attacking livestock.
Villagers have reported seeing leopards during the day and are now demanding that the Forest Department set up traps to capture the leopards.
The incident occurred on Saturday night (6th), when Lakshmibai was alone in her house with the door open. Lakshmibai had left the door open and was watching TV alone. Around 8 PM, she heard a noise and turned to see a leopard just two feet away from her.
She screamed loudly, scaring the leopard away. Neighbors Laxman Thorat, Atharva Thorat, Mohan Thorat, and Bharat Thorat rushed to her aid. They saw the leopard leaving the area and heading towards Dattatreya Rajaram Thorat’s sugarcane field.
"I was watching TV with the door open when the leopard came in. I didn't realize it until I heard a noise and saw it ready to attack. I remained calm and resisted, which saved my life," Lakshmibai Thorat recounted.
A leopard was spotted at Katraj Ghat on Sunday (July 7) night near the Aryan School. Local residents captured photos and videos of the leopard on their mobile, before the animal vanished into dark.
Before Katraj Ghat, a leopard was seen crossing Saswad Road in Dive Ghat. The video of this incident had also gone viral on social media.
The recurring presence of leopards has made residents wary of stepping out during the day, raising concerns about safety and prompting calls for increased vigilance and intervention from forest authorities.
