A 13-year-old boy was injured after a leopard attacked him during a safari ride at Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta Biological Park on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred when the safari vehicle carrying tourists made a stop inside the leopard enclosure. According to reports, the leopard lunged at the non-AC safari vehicle and swiped at the boy through an open window, leaving deep scratches on his hand.

The victim, identified as Suhas from Bommasandra, was traveling with his parents on a holiday trip. He was immediately taken to a nearby private hospital for medical treatment and is currently out of danger.

Footage of the attack, recorded by another tourist, has gone viral on social media, showing the leopard leaping toward the safari bus and injuring the boy.

Authorities Respond

The Executive Director of Bannerghatta National Park addressed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that a 12-year-old boy was hurt during a non-AC bus safari inside the leopard zone. He stated that the leopard swiped at the boy’s hand while he was boarding the bus. First aid was provided immediately, and further medical evaluation was conducted.

Authorities also announced that steps are being taken to reinforce safety measures, including covering all safari bus windows and camera slots with stronger grills. Drivers have been instructed to maintain strict vigilance during safaris to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Tourist Attraction Under Scrutiny

Bannerghatta Biological Park, one of Bengaluru’s most popular tourist destinations, has recently faced controversies regarding safety and rising human-animal conflicts. Incidents of leopards and elephants entering nearby residential areas have been on the rise, raising concerns among residents and wildlife experts.

Environmental Concerns

Environmentalists have linked such incidents to rapid urbanization and infrastructure development near the park, which they believe is disrupting wildlife corridors and increasing the frequency of human-animal encounters. They warn that unchecked expansion could further threaten the ecosystem and lead to more such dangerous interactions.