Mandya: A 45-year-old woman was injured in a leopardess attack near Anedoddi village in Maddur taluk in Mandya district on Sunday morning.

An adult leopardess, accompanied by her cub, attacked Leelamma of Kodidoddi village when she was working in a sugarcane field. She was injured on her back, thighs and arms, the police said. The cat scarpered when farmers rushed to the spot, alerted by the victim’s cries.

Leelamma received first aid at Maddur and was later admitted to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences.

Following the incident, Forest Department personnel visited the place and launched a search in and around the village to trap the felines. The leopards might have entered human habitats in search of food and water. Pugmarks were found at several places in the village, said Forest Officer Shashidhar.

Department officials said they would place a cage with live bait in the field where the cats were seen. Personnel have been deployed to monitor the movements of the cats.