Leopard attack claims life of 40-year-old woman in Pune, body dragged for 100 feet

A tragic incident in Pune’s Junnar tehsil has left a 40-year-old woman dead after a leopard attacked her while she was working in a soybean field. The state forest department officials confirmed the incident, which has raised significant concerns about the increasing frequency of leopard attacks in the region.

The incident took place around 6 am when Sujata Dhere was working in a soybean field, which was surrounded by sugarcane farms where a leopard was hiding. Mistaking her for prey, the leopard attacked and dragged her nearly 100 feet, causing severe injuries that ultimately led to her death.

After the attack, police and forest officials arrived to investigate, and Dhere’s body was sent for post-mortem examination. This tragic event is the seventh fatal leopard attack in the Junnar forest division since March, heightening concerns about the rising number of encounters of humans with the big cats.

Smita Rajahans, Assistant Conservator of Forests for the Junnar Forest Division, stated that significant efforts are being made to find the leopard. “The search and capture operation is ongoing in Pimpri-Pendhar village and surrounding areas. We have set up trap cameras, cages, and are utilising thermal drones to locate the leopard. We are also working to raise awareness among residents and have advised them to adhere strictly to safety guidelines.” 

The operation involves the deployment of 40 cages, 50 camera traps, and thermal drones to track the animal. The forest department is also advising the local community about safety measures amid the surge in leopard attacks. 

(With inputs from agencies)