60-year-old farmer injured in leopard attack in Karad

Kolhapur: A 60-year-old farmer was injured in a leopard attack in Kole village of Karad tehsil in Satara district on Tuesday evening, marking the second such incident in the area within a month and triggering fear among villagers.

The injured farmer, identified as Adhik Karale, was attacked while he was working in his farmland in the Patil Mala-Karale Mala area. He managed to fight back, forcing the leopard to flee into nearby bushes.

Hearing his screams, nearby farmers rushed to his rescue and took him to a govt rural hospital in Kole. After initial treatment, he was referred to the sub-district hospital in Karad, where he is undergoing further treatment.

Forest department officials said efforts are underway to capture the animal. Cages have been installed in the area to trap the leopard following repeated sightings and attacks.

Forest ranger Abhinandan Sawant said, “On April 26, a leopard attacked Shrirang Patil, who was watering crops in the same village. We have installed two cages in the surroundings of the incident spot. Efforts are ongoing to trap the animal.”

He added an advisory for residents: “All the farmers are appealed to avoid going to the farmlands alone, work in groups and inform the forest department immediately if they see the movement of a leopard.”

Villagers said they are living in constant fear and demanded that the forest department urgently trap the leopard to prevent further attacks.