Maharashtra | September 2, 2026
Two separate wildlife attacks in western Maharashtra have left one farmer critically injured and claimed the life of a retired policeman, sparking fresh concern over human-wildlife conflict in rural areas.
Farmer critically injured in leopard attack
The leopard attack took place on Monday evening in Karivade village of Bhudargad taluka, Kolhapur district.
According to the report, 60-year-old Pandurang Desai had taken his cattle for grazing in the Mali area along with 75-year-old Yashwant Desai. A leopard hiding in bushes suddenly attacked a young buffalo.
Pandurang Desai tried to drive the leopard away, but the animal turned on him. He suffered severe injuries to his ear, hands and legs and reportedly lost consciousness during the attack.
Yashwant Desai rushed to help him but was also attacked. He managed to escape and alert other villagers.
Pandurang Desai was given initial treatment before being shifted to CPR Hospital in Kolhapur, where he remains in serious condition. Yashwant Desai is being treated at Gargoti sub-district hospital for his injuries.
Karivade sarpanch Arun Desai has called for the leopard to be captured and for increased forest patrolling in the area.
Retired policeman killed by hyena
A day earlier, a fatal hyena attack was reported in neighbouring Sangli district.
Kondiba Pandurang Dudhal-Patil, 75, a retired policeman, was attacked while he was grazing goats along the Daflapur–Ankale road in Jat taluka on Sunday evening.
The hyena reportedly attacked his neck, thigh and hand, causing severe bleeding. He died at the spot before help could reach him.
Forest officials conducted a spot inspection and completed the panchnama. A proposal seeking compensation for the deceased’s family has been forwarded to higher authorities.
Rising concern in rural areas
The back-to-back incidents have increased anxiety among farmers and other residents who regularly enter fields and forest-edge areas with livestock.
The incidents also underline the challenges of managing human-wildlife interactions in landscapes where agricultural land and wildlife habitats increasingly overlap.
Source credit: Based on a report by The Times of India, “Fear in the fields: Leopard leaves Kolhapur farmer critical, hyena kills retired cop in Sangli,” by Rahul Gayakwad, published September 2, 2026.
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