Mumbai: Aarey Colony local hurt as leopard attacks ‘in self defence’

Lakshmi Umbersade (in red saree) with forest dept officials

In an accidental encounter and in self defence on Monday night, a resident of Aarey Milk Colony sustained minor injuries in a leopard attack.

Lakshmi Umbersade, a resident of Unit 31, was returning home sometime between 9.30 pm and 10 pm when she suddenly came face-to-face with a leopard. The wild cat pounced at her and she fell, injuring her leg and head.

A Thane Forest Department official, who did not wish to be named, said, "Prima facie it appears that the leopard attacked the woman in self defence."

The official added, "Camera traps have already been installed in the area and we have appealed to locals to take precautions. We have also explained to them the do's and don'ts for an encounter with a leopard."

The Thane Forest Department (Territorial) and Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) teams visited the spot. Biologist Nikit Surve, who has been conducting camera tracking exercises in SGNP and Aryan landscape, also visited the spot on Monday night and on Tuesday, and has installed camera traps in the area.

Locals told mid-day that the area does not have adequate street lamps and in order to prevent any further incidents, the local corporator and public representatives must light up the area first.