A 10-year-old boy is fighting for his life after a leopard attacked him in Chhattisgarh's Gariyaband district on Thursday evening. The incident occurred in Kodobattar village, a forest fringe settlement, when the child was returning home after watching television at a neighbor's house.
Details of the Attack
The leopard, which was apparently lying in wait near the village, suddenly lunged at the boy and clamped its jaws around his neck. The animal attempted to drag him towards the forest. The child's screams alerted his parents and family members, who rushed out of their homes. Initially, they thought a stray dog had attacked him, but upon closer inspection, they realized it was a leopard.
In a desperate struggle, the parents fought the animal and managed to pull the child out of its jaws. The leopard then fled into the nearby forest. The boy sustained deep injuries on his neck and body. He was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors provided primary treatment before referring him to Raipur in critical condition.
Fear Grips Villages
The attack has revived fear among residents, who report that leopard movement near habitations increases during peak summer. Wild animals often stray closer to human settlements in search of water and prey. Following the incident, a forest department team reached the spot and installed trap cameras to track the leopard's movement. The department has also started making announcements in the village, advising residents not to step out alone after dark and to keep children indoors.
Ranger Pranjali Mishra said efforts are on to locate the leopard to prevent further incidents. "Trap cameras have been installed and villagers are being alerted through public announcements," she added.
