An elderly woman, said to be around 112 years old, was allegedly attacked by a leopard while she was sleeping in an open area in her orchard in a village in Surat district on Sunday, officials said. The woman, who sustained injuries on her neck, face and other body parts, is undergoing treatment at the New Civil Hospital where her condition is reported to be “normal”.
Forest department officials said the incident took place in a chiku orchard in Kathodara village in Kamrej taluka of Surat district.
Early on Sunday morning, Shyamben Devipujak was sleeping on a cot inside a makeshift tent in the orchard when the leopard attacked her, according to her family members.
On hearing her cries for help, her grandson Laxman and other family members arrived at the spot and saw blood oozing from her head and hands. They claimed to have found leopard pugmarks on the ground. The family rushed Shyamben to the hospital where doctors operated upon her.
Resident Medical Officer Dr Ketan Naik said, “The family members had mentioned the age of Shyamben as 112 years; so, we have noted that down. Her condition is reported to be stable. She had incurred deep injuries on her head and hands.”
On Monday, the forest department officials installed a cage in the orchard where the leopard’s pugmarks were spotted.
A forest official said, “The orchard is surrounded by a standing crop of sugarcane, which is the safest place for leopards to hide. We hope that the leopard will be caught in the next couple of days. We have also asked the family to take precautions while staying in the orchard during the night hours.”
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