Leopard Attacks Vehicle at Bannerghatta, Tourist Injured

GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 13th Nov: A routine safari at Bannerghatta National Park in Karnataka turned into a moment of panic on Thursday when a leopard tried to enter a safari vehicle, injuring a tourist in the process.

A video of the shocking incident shows the leopard initially resting in front of the safari bus as tourists watched closely. Moments later, the animal approached the side of the vehicle and bit onto a woman’s clothing through the window. Despite the presence of metal grills, small gaps between the grill bars and the sliding doors allowed the leopard to insert its paws inside.

Eyewitnesses said the woman, who was on a family trip from Chennai, screamed for help as fellow passengers tried to free her from the leopard’s grip. After a brief struggle, a part of her clothing tore off, and the driver swiftly shut the window, preventing further harm. The woman sustained minor injuries, and all other passengers were reported safe.

The bus, carrying more than a dozen tourists, was later escorted back to the park’s base station. Forest officials said the leopard returned to its habitat soon after.

This is not the first such encounter at the park. In October 2024, a video surfaced showing a leopard attempting to climb onto a safari vehicle and peek inside through the windows.

Authorities have assured that an internal safety review will be conducted, and additional precautions will be implemented to prevent similar incidents during future safaris.