-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM, DEC 4 A 55-year-old woman was seriously injured, while a member of the Animal Rescue Squad (ARS) sustained minor injuries, after they were attacked by a leopard at Ona- Maulinguem, Bicholim, on Friday. According to reports, the incident occurred at about 11 am when the leopard attacked one Laxmi Gaonkar from Gaonkarwada-Ona, Maulinguem, who was standing near the Nirankar Devasthan. Gaonkar sustained severe injures on her neck and hands in the attack, before the leopard released its victim and fled into the nearby bushes. On receiving the information, the Animal Rescue Squad (ARS), including Sanjay Gaonkar, Ashok Pal, Deepak Gaonkar, Sagar Gaonkar, Sanjay Gaonkar and Raju Kundanwar, rushed to the site. As the ARS was in the process of inspecting the area, the leopard, which was still hiding in the bushes, attacked Raju Kundanwar (25), a member of the ARS. About five of our members were inspecting the site with blood on the ground and Gaonkars slippers still lying near the temple. Suddenly, the leopard attacked our team member, ARS Chief Amrut Singh told reporters. It all happened in a fraction of a second, added Singh. Kundanwar was attacked on his hands and chest. Both the injured were rushed to PHC Bicholim, from where Gaonkar was shifted to Asilo, Mapusa. On hearing of the incident, RFO (Keri range), Tulshidas Wadkar, North Goa Sub Divisional Officer Anil Shetgaonkar, RFO (Bondla) Amar Heblekar rushed to the site and asked the villagers not to venture close to the site. Later, the forest officials laid a trap in the area to catch the leopard. It is likely that the leopard might have attacked the villagers as they went near the site where the wild cat may have killed an animal, said forest officials. There is also a possibility that the leopard could have cubs and to protect them, the leopard attacked the people, added the officials. It may be recalled that this is the 10th such attack on the people in Sattari and Bicholim. About six leopards have already been trapped since the last few years. Meanwhile, local Panch Sheetal Sawal has stated that they need protection and the forest department should act swiftly to trap the leopard. The forest department should act swiftly and trap the leopard as it might attack others in the village, said Sawal. RFO (Keri Range) Tulshidas Wadkar said that they might use tranquilisers if they spot the leopard. We are well equipped and if need be, we might use tranquilisers if we spot it in the village, Wadkar told reporters.
