Pune man injured in leopard attack in bid to click photograph from too close

PUNE: A 36-year-old man was attacked by an injured leopard resting under a tree after he ventured too close to click its photo at Kolwadi in Junnar tehsil, about 75km from here, on Wednesday morning.
The leopard was later tranquilised by a team of forest officials and brought to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre for treatment. The animal had sustained leg and back injuries after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the Kalyan-Ahmednagar highway at night.
The attack victim, Bharat Kundalik Pardhi, was initially taken to the Otur Primary Health Centre and later shifted to the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital in Pimpri.
Bharat and his two friends, who were going past the area on a motorcycle, noticed the leopard and tried to click a photo of the animal from close range, resulting in the attack, said forest officials.
Amol Satpute, deputy conservator of forest, Junnar forest division told TOI, "After coming to know about the presence of a leopard in the area, people from the village and passers-by gathered to see the animal. Some even tried to get close to the animal to shoot videos and click photos."
"We suspect that the leopard might have become aggressive and lunged at the onlookers. While running, Bharat fell, which is when the animal attacked his leg," he added. Bharat is stable and he will be discharged from the hospital in the next two days, said Satpute.