Drought hits wild cats too, thirsty animals enter villages

MUMBAI: The acture water scarcity in some parts of Maharashtra is affecting the leopards too, driving them into villages skirting the forests.

A male leopard, who strayed into Dhondegaon village in the district, apparantly in seach of water and food, attacked a youth yesterday.

In another incident in the district, a femal leopard died after falling into a 50-ft deep well.

Forest officer P P Bhamre said a four-and-half years old leopard attacked Yadav Bendkule, a local youth, and was later spotted in the field of Madhukar More at Dhondegaon yesterday.

Forest officers reached the spot with tranquiliser and a cage, but the animal escaped.

At village Dahingule-Shivar, a female leopard was found dead in a 50-feet deep well in the field of Hiraman Bagul.

Officers said that she must have been searching for water.