Zhang Donghong, a villager in Fengxiang County, was suddenly attacked from behind by a big leopard while weeding in his farmland. Zhang fought back with his hoe. After a desperate fight, Zhang drove the leopard off but was left with bleeding arms.

People from the local police station and animal protection station arrived at the scene after receiving Zhang's alarm via telephone.

Around the same time, a boy in a nearby village was reported to have been clawed by a leopard on his back while playing in farmland nearby. The boy was sent to a hospital in time.

Later, forestry workers with an anaesthesia gun and blowtorch began to trace suspected leopards, and found footprints of an adult female leopard and her pup.

The local government has posted notices in several villages to warn walkers and farmers to pay more attention while arranging 24-hour patrol for the area. In the meantime, the residents are reminded not to hurt the animals under state protection.

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2003)