A Punakha farmer has become an instant legend in his village after he wrestled down a wild leopard and axed it to death.

Phugay La, from Nabchey village, was not looking for a fight. But the ill-fated leopard had come, literally, asking for it.

It was November 28 and Phugay La and family were getting ready for supper. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a leopard burst into his house, cornering the family, who were in utter dread.

Phugay La leaped to his feet and stood in front of his family. He was scared to death. But fearing attack on his children, who were quivering and screaming with terror, he threw himself at the beast and wrestled it with his bare hands. The beast’s claws and fangs sank into his flesh. He yelled for help. His children, paralyzed with fear, looked on in horror.

With the beast overpowering him and his life in danger of total annihilation in front of his children, a desperate Phugay La scoured the room with his eyes. He saw his axe which was nearby. Mustering every ounce of strength, Phugay La stretched for the weapon. He found the axe and, with a burst of renewed energy, began to stab the beast. He then got up and swung the axe at the wild cat and struck it in the neck. The fight was over.

“Phugay La killed the leopard before the villagers, who, had heard the commotion, got to his house,� said Punakha forest range officer Shiva Lal, who arrived at the scene, two hours later, along with the village gup and health official. Later, Phugay La and his family described how the leopard had entered their house chasing a dog, which ran.

“We found the leopard’s prints outside and inside the house, and confirmed that Phugay la had killed it in self defense,� said Shiva Lal. He said he had never seen such a thing in his life. The incident had stunned the Punakha villagers, he added.

Shiva Lal said he was drying the parts of the leopard’s body and would shortly surrendere to his head office in Thimphu.

He said the leopard was male and extended seven feet from head to back.

Meanwhile, Phugay La is recovering from his experience. His injection doses are complete. Shiva Lal said Phugay La looked fit as ever.

Turns out, and luckily for him, the leopard had only managed to graze Phugay La’s limbs, face, and head with minor bites and cuts.
Source: Kuenselonline