Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

A 68-year-old man sustained multiple cuts on his head as a leopard attacked him on the early morning of July 12 in Orong, Samdrupjongkhar.

The incident occurred at 5am at Nakzor village.

The man is undergoing treatment at Samdrupjongkhar hospital and is in stable condition.

The victim was the koennyer (caretaker) of a local Lhakhang and he was on his way to the Lhakhang to offer water when he encountered the leopard.

The Lhakhang is located more than a kilometre away from the village and he was alone when the incident occurred.



According to sources, it was suspected that the leopard had attacked the victim from the back when he was removing the leeches.

“The man escaped as he managed to push the leopard below the road,” a source said.

Sources said the victim immediately rushed towards the house and called his son and told him about the attack.

The source also said the victim was then evacuated to the Orong basic health unit (BHU).

According to the Orong BHU officials, the victim had to undergo 40 stitches because of the multiple cuts on the head. He was later referred to the Samdrupjongkhar hospital.



Meanwhile, forest officials said people should be more cautious as wild animals migrate due to climate change.

“It is the first incident of leopard attack in the village,” an official said.

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