Ratel-bite injures four in Junagadh temple

RAJKOT: A ratel (locally known as ghorkhodiyu or grave digger) created a scare on the campus of a temple in Girnar on Monday morning, in a rare attack on humans by the animal.
The ratel, also known as honey badger, had entered Vagheshwari temple around 10 am. The animal was unusually ferocious and bit four persons. All of them had to be shifted to government hospital in Junagadh.Sources said that one boy was grievously injured and was saved in the nick of time by locals and forest department team.
Vagheshwari temple is located near Gayatri temple on way to Bhavnath in Junagadh. "It was a scary experience for devotees coming to the temple. The ratel suddenly started biting people who started running for cover. The injured persons include the priest of the temple," said Parbat Maru, range forest officer, Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, south division. After some time, the animal got stuck up inside the room on the temple campus and was caged. Veterinary doctors are also monitoring the ratel and observing its unusual behaviour.
"It is difficult to spot ratels even in forest areas. We were surprised that it came close to human locality and attacked people," said a senior forest official. "We will take a call whether to release it in wild or not after few days,'' said an official.