Daijiworld Media Network - Chhota Udepur

Chhota Udepur, Apr 24: In a remarkable display of courage, a tribal man from a small village in Gujarat’s Chhota Udepur district fought off a leopard with his bare hands to rescue his four-year-old daughter from a near-fatal attack.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in Rasli village of Pavi Jetpur taluka when the child was playing in the backyard of her house. Her mother, who was nearby, raised an alarm after a leopard suddenly pounced on the girl in the fading light.

Hearing the screams, the girl’s father, Suresh Rathwa, rushed to the spot. Though initially stunned, he quickly sprang into action on seeing the animal attempting to drag his daughter away.

Rathwa confronted the leopard, pulled his daughter free and repeatedly struck the animal while holding on to the child. The leopard retaliated, trying to claw at him during the brief but intense struggle.

“The leopard refused to back off and repeatedly tried attacking Rathwa, who held on to his daughter throughout the encounter,” said Jaydeep Solanki, Range Forest Officer of Pavi Jetpur.

After a few tense moments, the animal finally released the girl and fled into nearby fields.

Forest officials said the child sustained serious injuries to her face and neck but is responding to treatment at a local hospital.

Officials believe the leopard may have strayed into the village from a nearby river ravine in search of food. Villagers reported sightings of the animal again later that night.

Authorities have since installed three cages and trap cameras in and around the village to track and capture the leopard, while urging residents to remain alert.

Officials noted that although leopard sightings have been reported earlier in the area, this was the first recorded attack on a human in the village.