Bengaluru: Leopard injures boy during safari at Bannerghatta, minister orders safety audit

A safari ride at Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) took a terrifying turn on Friday when a 12-year-old boy was clawed by a leopard. The child, seated in a non-air-conditioned safari bus, had placed his hand near the window when the leopard leapt onto the vehicle and struck.

Park authorities confirmed that the animal clawed the boy while attempting to climb onto the bus. The child was administered first aid immediately and underwent further medical checks. Officials noted that leopards occasionally jump onto safari vehicles and grip the protective mesh covering, a behaviour observed during such rides.

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BBP safari buses

All BBP safari buses are equipped with protective mesh and designated camera slots, and drivers are routinely instructed to remind visitors about safety precautions. Despite these measures, the incident has raised renewed concerns about passenger awareness and compliance during safaris.

Following the incident, Karnataka Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre directed officials to conduct a safety review of all safari operations. He instructed that protective meshes on vehicles be reinforced, camera slots standardized, and safari tickets carry clear cautionary messages for visitors. Staff have also been told to enhance briefings given to tourists before each ride.

Spread across 20 hectares, BBP’s leopard safari is South India’s first and remains the largest of its kind in the country. The latest incident, however, has put the spotlight back on safety protocols and the importance of balancing tourism with wildlife protection.