Pune: In the early hours of Monday (October 7), a leopard entered a shepherd's tent in the Kudache Mal area of Waghdara, Junnar, and attacked a woman, injuring her in the process.
The incident occurred at around 4 AM, while the woman, her two children, daughter-in-law, and eight-month-old grandson were sleeping. Thanks to the quick action of the family’s dogs, which barked aggressively and scared off the predator, a larger disaster was narrowly avoided.
The injured woman, 44-year-old Mirabai Baru Barkade, was bitten on her right hand by the leopard, which attempted to drag her away. Startled by the barking dogs, the leopard fled before causing further harm. The noise also alerted Mirabai’s two sons, Amol and Rahul Barkade, along with her daughter-in-law and grandson, who immediately rushed to her aid.
Following the attack, the family contacted a local resident, Abhishek Ghadve, who swiftly transported the injured woman to the Otur Primary Health Center.
Dr. Shrihari Sarokte treated her injuries and promptly informed the forest department about the incident. Under the guidance of Forest Officer Pradip Chavan, the forest department arranged for Mirabai to be moved to a hospital in Narayangaon for further medical care.
The attack has left the local community on edge, with many residents expressing concern over the increasing leopard sightings in the area. The shepherd, who had set up camp with his flock of 150 sheep in the Kudache Mal area, reported that the leopard struck without warning. The tent, which housed the entire family, was torn apart during the attack.
Several local residents, including Santosh Dumbre, Abhishek Ghadve, and others, have urged authorities to set up a trap to capture the leopard before it strikes again.
