Pulinjal: Four persons, including a Forest Department official, were injured in a wildcat attack on Sunday evening. The injured were identified as Puzhakkara Niyas (24), Raju (45) of Kottamuthu Unnathi, Muthan Naseema and Beat Forest Officer G L Prashanth. All received treatment at Mananthavady Medical College.

The incident occurred in the rented quarters at Kohamkulam near Pulinjal town. The wild cat was first spotted inside Niyas’s house. Though locked inside a room, the animal leapt out through a window and mauled Niyas.

Raju, who was passing by in an autorickshaw, also sustained injuries after being attacked by the animal while trying to chase it away. The cat then strayed into a nearby quarters building, where it bit Naseema on her leg.

A team led by ward member P Shyji and White Guard Captain V K Shaji managed to confine the animal inside a room.

On being alerted by locals, officials from the Vellamunda Forest Section and members of the Mananthavady Rapid Response Team (RRT) arrived and captured the animal. During the operation, Beat Forest Officer G L Prashanth was injured. The wildcat was later taken to the RRT camp at Mananthavady. Forest officials estimated the animal’s age to be around 12 years.