BANGALORE: Veeramma (45) from Gattipura in Magadi Taluk escaped from the jaws of death on Wednesday when a leopard attacked her when she was grazing sheep in her farm.
Veeramma heard her sheep bleating and saw some of them running helter-skelter. She ran towards them and saw a leopard attacking a sheep that was giving birth. When she started to shout and raise an alarm, the leopard pounced on her.
On hearing her cry, farmers in close-by plots came to her rescue and chased the animal away. By that time, it had already killed a sheep and injured Veeramma. Doctors treating her said she had a lucky escape with just a torn eyelid. “The injury on her eye is serious and we had to stitch it,” said Dr K H Srinivas.
Veeramma claimed she was earlier attacked when trying to save her sheep few months ago. Her relative said many villagers have been hit by this menace after 10 attacks on animals. Some people too have been attacked, they claimed.
So far, no Forest Department officials have taken any initiative, they added.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Vinay Luthra told Express that the number of attacks by leopards has increased as towns are growing into forest areas. “Farmers are also cultivating cane in breeding grounds of leopards. We can create a balance only through awareness and afforestation,” he said.