Image used for representational purpose only . 

By Our Correspondent
Aryan Palaskar

Pune: The number of leopards roaming in the fields and outside, away from the forest habitat, in Pune district seems to be on the rise.

A shocking incident happened recently when a leopard entered a private hospital premises in Alep Phata and even attacked a forest guard.

The leopard in search of prey entered the private hospital in Ale Phata which is located on the border of Pune and Nashik district. Since it was half past nine in the night, the patients' ward was closed. Although a major incident was averted, the forest guards had to work very hard to keep the leopard away from the patients, officials said.

As soon as the leopard entered the hospital, forest guards were immediately alerted. They tried desperately to catch the leopard. This time the leopard attacked a forest guard named Kailas Bhalerao which resulted in injury to him. He was later given stitches on his hand.

Meanwhile, the leopard jumped from one window and went to another window and escaped from there into the forest, officials said.

Leopards are now entering the city in search of prey which has to be taken into consideration and the forest department should take some measures urgently regarding this, activists said.