A 60-year-old man suffered injuries after he was attacked by a wild animal, near Thambatty, a few kilometers away from Lovedale on Monday morning.
The victim was identified as Sundaram (60) a farmer and goat herder. He had apparently ventured into a small patch of reserve forest surrounding Thambatty village on Monday morning to gather fodder for his goats when he was attacked by a wild animal. Hearing his calls for help, locals rushed to his aid and took him to the Government Headquarters Hospital in Udhagamandalam. He was given first aid and referred to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital.
Speaking to The Hindu , K. Rajkumar, District Forest Officer (Nilgiris South Division), said that forest staff went to the spot where Sundaram was attacked and looked for the animal. “However, based on the nature of the injuries and clues we picked up from the spot, we suspect that a sloth bear could have attacked him,” said Mr. Rajkumar.
The victim is reported to have told forest staff that he was attacked by a leopard, but they believe he could have been mistaken. Sundaram is said to have suffered moderate injuries to his neck and forehead, and was said to be in shock when forest department staff spoke to him.
The forest department has released ₹40,000 to pay for Sundaram's treatment. They are also conducting perambulation procedures around the area where he was attacked, and believe the confrontation was accidental, caused when Sundaram accidentally spooked the sheltering animal.
