Leopard injures 12-year-old boy during Bengaluru safari; forest minister orders safety overhaul
While traveling in a non-AC bus in Bengaluru, the child had his hand near the window when a leopard suddenly leapt onto the vehicle.
A family outing to Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) took a terrifying turn on Friday when a 12-year-old boy was clawed by a leopard during a safari ride. The incident occurred while the boy was travelling in a non-air-conditioned safari bus with his hand resting near the window. A leopard suddenly leapt onto the vehicle and swiped at him, causing injuries.
A.V. Surya Sen, Executive Director of BBP, told The Hindu that the animal clawed the boy as it attempted to climb onto the bus. “He was injured during a non-AC safari trip when his hand was in an accessible spot near the window. The leopard, as it climbed up, clawed him. He was immediately given first aid and examined for further injuries,” he said.
Park officials noted that it's not uncommon for leopards to leap onto safari buses and grip the protective mesh covering the windows. To reduce the risk, all safari vehicles are equipped with mesh and designated camera slots, and drivers are regularly instructed to remind passengers to stay cautious and keep their limbs inside.
Karnataka Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre responded forcefully to the incident, expressing shock and demanding prompt action. In order to improve safety, he gave BBP officials instructions to reinforce all safari vehicles with secure mesh, give tourists clear warnings, and include warnings about safety procedures in safari tickets.