Forest staffer injured during leopard rescue operation

Udaipur: A forest dept rescue team member was injured after he was attacked by an injured leopard during a rescue operation in Chitrakoota Nagar under Sukher police station limits in Udaipur Wednesday. The leopard was later tranquilised and shifted to the Leopard Rescue Centre at Sajjangarh Biological Park.

The injured staffer, Jitendra Singh Devda, sustained injuries to both hands and his face during the operation.

According to local residents, the leopard was struck by a vehicle on Bhairavgarh Road, suffering serious injuries to its mouth. The animal was initially seen lying on the road bleeding before dragging itself into roadside bushes. Police and forest officials reached the spot after receiving information.

When the rescue team began searching the bushes, the leopard became agitated after being spotted in torchlight and moved deeper into the area. Forest personnel cordoned off the surroundings and launched a rescue operation.

At around 12.45 am, tranquiliser expert Ajit Singh Ranawat fired a dart at the leopard. Although the shot hit the target and the sedative began taking effect, the animal had not fully lost consciousness when the team approached it about 20 minutes later.

The leopard suddenly attacked Devda, injuring him before forest personnel managed to retreat. Eyewitnesses said Devda grappled with the leopard in an attempt to protect himself until colleagues rushed to assist.

About 30 minutes later, the tranquiliser took full effect and the leopard became unconscious. The rescue team then secured the animal with a net and transported it to the rescue centre for treatment and observation.