Pune: A couple was attacked and injured by a leopard while riding their motorcycle on the Kapardikeshwar Temple to Babit Mala road in Otur, Junner. The attack occurred at around 6:30 p.m. on Friday (December 20) evening near the Pimpalgaon Joga Corner, just ahead of the Kapardikeshwar Temple.
The injured couple, identified as Santosh Bansidhar Gite (46 years) and Yogita Santosh Gite (39 years), residents of Babit Mala, Otur, were on their way home when the leopard suddenly attacked them. The couple sustained serious injuries in the attack and required immediate medical attention.
Upon hearing about the incident, former Sarpanch of Otur, Dhananjay Dumbare, informed the authorities and the local community. The injured couple was rushed to the Otur Primary Health Center, where they received initial treatment from Dr. Vaishnavi Thikekar under the supervision of Dr. Shrihari Sarokte.
After the treatment, Forest Range Officer Lahu Thokal, along with forest staff, visited the injured couple and arranged for them to be taken to Narayangaon for a rabies vaccination as a precautionary measure. The forest department also confirmed that a trap had already been set in the area to capture the leopard responsible for the attacks.
This is not the first such incident in the area. On December 13, Megha Sandeep Shinde was also attacked by the same leopard while riding a motorcycle in the same vicinity. Additionally, on December 12, another person, Gurunath Kisan Wagh, was injured by the leopard while sitting on the toilet near the Katkari settlement in Otur.
The forest department has been taking steps to address the situation, but the recurring attacks highlight the growing concern regarding the presence of leopards in this region.
