Leopard attacks pilgrim in Girnar

10-02-2010
Leopard attacks pilgrim in Girnar
Times of India
Print Edition

A leopard attacked a pilgrim in Girnar hills of Junagadh district in the wee hours of Tuesday. The man sustained injuries to his face and hands but has been saved.

According to sources at Junagadh Civil Hospital, Magan Balda,50,a native of Dhoraji taluka of Rajkot, has been camping with a group of pilgrims in Junagadh to offer voluntary services at the Mahashivratri fair, which is on at the foothills of the mountain.

Balda was sleeping at a temple near Bharatvan Sheshavan area when a leopard suddenly appeared from the forest and pounced on him at 5 am. His cries awoke the rest of the group, who managed to scare away the animal. Balda was shifted to Junagadh Civil Hospital where he is under treatment.

In Amreli, a leopard entered the house of Valji Akbaria at Bhad village in Khambha taluka of Amreli district on Monday. The region falls under Tulsishyam range of the forest cover.

Alarmed, Akbaria ran out of the house and with the help of his neighbours called the range officials, who rushed to the spot with a net. The officials caught the animal, a four year old female. The animal has been taken to a health centre at Jasadhar, where it will be kept under observation.