NEED TO KNOW
- A 12-year-old boy has been left with “deep gashes” after being mauled by a leopard during a Jeep safari in Bangalore, India
- The incident took place at Bannerghatta Biological Park on Friday, Aug 15
- Footage shared by the Associated Press showed the animal crouching next to the boy’s vehicle before leaping at the open window
A 12-year-old boy has been left with “deep gashes” after a leopard attacked him during a safari jeep.
The incident took place at the Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bangalore, India, on Friday, Aug. 15, according to the Associated Press.
In footage shared by the AP, the leopard was seen crouching on the ground next to the boy’s vehicle before chasing the car and leaping at the window.
After the creature got down from the window, the driver of the vehicle sped away. The footage also showed the leopard continuing to chase after the vehicle.
PEOPLE has contacted the Bannerghatta Biological Park and the Indian Police Service for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(693x597:695x599)/leopard-attacks-boy-081925-5-dd44b4ae112d400497c3a5d6d602ee10.jpg)
A boy in the vehicle, who has been identified as Suhas, was reportedly left with “deep gashes” to his hand, according to the Associated Press and local outlet, India Today.
Suhas received first aid before being “rushed” to the hospital. He has since been discharged, per the Associated Press.
“A 12-year-old boy was injured during a non-AC bus safari inside the leopard safari zone,” Bannerghatta Biological Park executive director Surya Sen confirmed to the outlet.
Related Stories
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/great-white-shark-020325-1-68b09f0cb39343d694315e958a65f0a8.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Tracy-Maria-Azpeitia-081725-2cddb21b8f504324bd0567ebb22e9467.jpg)
“The leopard, while climbing up the bus, clawed the boy’s hand, which was in an accessible place,” Sen continued. “He was given first aid and checked for further injuries.”
Authorities are investigating the incident and looking into the safety measures that can be implemented to prevent a future attack, according to the Associated Press.
Last year, another leopard was seen climbing on a safari bus at the same park, per India Today.
The animal poked his head through a window before the vehicle was able to move away safely.
Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B Khandre told the English language Indian newspaper Deccan Herald that all parks should have meshes on safari vehicle windows and camera openings. He also ordered more detailed warnings on safari tickets.
Park authorities stated to the outlet that they had covered all mesh openings and given strict safety instructions to drivers of non-AC safari buses.
Read the full article here


:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(722x371:724x373)/leopard-attacks-boy-081925-6-fe9ef8ae461e4b30a6bfe2a29692a03e.jpg)