Tragic Leopard Attack Claims Life of 9-Year-Old in Gujarat Village
A devastating leopard attack in a tribal village of Gujarat has resulted in the death of a nine-year-old boy, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting immediate action from forest authorities. The incident occurred in Koliapada village, Netrang taluka of Bharuch district, on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
The Fateful Day in the Sugarcane Field
The victim, identified as Ritik (9), was playing near a standing sugarcane field where his parents, Sukhdev and his wife, were working. His younger sister, Sangita, was also present. According to forest officials, a hungry leopard, hiding in the tall crop, noticed movement and launched a sudden attack from behind.
The predator targeted the boy's neck, attempting to drag him away. Hearing Sangita's terrified screams, Sukhdev and other farm labourers rushed to the scene. They bravely tried to fight off the big cat using sugarcane sticks, forcing it to release Ritik and flee back into the fields.
Swift Response and Capture
The injured child was immediately rushed to Rajpipla Civil Hospital, where doctors, tragically, declared him dead on arrival. The forest department was informed without delay.
Netrang Range Forest Officer Hitesh Jadav and his team quickly reached the spot. After finding pugmarks, they set up three cages in the surrounding area, using a hen with meat as bait. Their efforts led to the capture of a three-year-old female leopard on Monday. The animal, suspected to be involved in the attack, was relocated to a shelter facility.
Aftermath and Official Advisory
The village held Ritik's funeral procession on Monday afternoon, which saw a large gathering of grieving residents. In response to the tragedy, village leaders issued an alert, advising families to keep children away from standing sugarcane crops.
Forest officials have urged farm labourers in the area to adhere to strict safety protocols. These include:
- Working in groups for safety in numbers.
- Maintaining constant vigil while in the fields.
- Avoiding any unnecessary movement, especially during night hours.
RFO Hitesh Jadav provided further details, stating, "We have started procedures for victim compensation. An amount of Rs 10 lakh will be deposited in the victim's parents' bank account in the next couple of days." He added that the primary cause of death appeared to be a deep grip around the neck that likely damaged a vein.
A Recurring Problem and Leopard Population
This is not an isolated incident. Jadav confirmed that last year, another minor boy was killed in a similar leopard attack in Netrang taluka. The region is known for a significant leopard population. According to the 2022 leopard census, Bharuch district is home to over 105 leopards in approximately 25,000 hectares of forest.
For context, neighboring Surat district has 104 leopards in 27,000 hectares, while Tapi has 75 across a larger 90,000-hectare area. Officials acknowledge that Bharuch's 25,000-hectare forest patch holds "hundreds of leopards," leading to frequent human-animal conflicts.
The forest department continues to run awareness drives in villages, educating residents on necessary precautions while working in fields and moving outside after dark.
