Vadodara: A 7-year-old girl was injured in an attack by a leopard in Chhota Udepur district on Thursday evening, the third such incident in the area in eight days, forest officials said.The girl, Kansula Bhil, was attacked in Hirpari village of Pavi Jetpur taluka while accompanying her father, Gordhan Bhil, to a shop. Kansula was walking a short distance away from her father when the leopard, which was hiding in nearby fields, pounced on her from behind. “The leopard pounced on the girl from behind and injured her. She screamed for help, but before anyone could reach her, the leopard disappeared into the fields,” said Jaydeep Solanki, range forest officer, Pavi Jetpur. Kansula sustained minor injuries to her face and neck and was taken to hospital for treatment. Forest officials said her condition was stable. On Tuesday, a 35-year-old woman was attacked by a leopard in Bhesali village, also in Pavi Jetpur taluka. Bhesali is about 3km from Hirpari. “It must be the same leopard moving around in the area,” Solanki said, adding that the animal is estimated to be around five years old and appears to have strayed into villages in search of food. The forest department has placed six cages in Hirpari and Bhesali villages to trap the leopard. Eight days ago, a four-year-old girl, Dhruvisha Rathwa, was attacked by a leopard in Rasli village of Pavi Jetpur while playing near her house. Her father, Suresh Rathwa, fought off the animal and managed to save his daughter.
