Chandrapur: An attempt to get a closer look and click selfies with an injured leopard left four villagers wounded, three of them seriously, at Chambharda in Gadchiroli on Wednesday morning.The incident occurred after the leopard was left incapacitated during a fight with a tiger, said officials and local sources. The leopard was found lying motionless near the Chambharda-Maregaon rural road, close to the farm of Haridas Munghate in the Porla forest range. The sight drew curious onlookers, some of whom ventured dangerously close assuming the leopard was dead. Despite its injuries, the leopard suddenly attacked the group. Vilas Thakre (48) and Rekha Vitthal Madavi (45), both residents of Chambharda, along with Lumaji Munghate (40) from nearby Temba, sustained serious injuries. Another villager, Leeladhar Munghate (37), suffered minor wounds and is reported to be stable.Range forest officer Rajesh Pachbhai and his team rushed to the spot. The injured persons were provided first aid at the primary health sub-centre in Chambharda and were later admitted to the district general hospital. A veterinary team was called to examine the leopard. With no signs of movement, the animal was confirmed dead.Forest officials, during a detailed examination of the carcass, found deep wounds and bite marks on the body and neck, indicating the leopard likely died from severe injuries sustained during a fight with a tiger. The carcass was incinerated in the presence of witnesses after autopsy.
