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Journalism of Courage
A woman from Chennai suffered injuries to her hand on Thursday after a leopard at Bannerghatta National Park jumped onto a safari bus and clawed her through a mesh-covered window. The 56-year-old, identified as Vahitha Banu, was given first aid and later taken to a private hospital in Jigani, where doctors said she is stable.
The incident occurred around 1 pm during a leopard safari. A video circulating online shows the big cat leaping onto the bus and pushing its paw through the window in an attempt to attack her. Safari buses are fitted with metal wire mesh to separate animals from visitors, but officials said the leopard managed to find a small gap large enough to slip its paw through, according to India Today.
“She received scratch injuries to her hand and is doing fine,” an official confirmed.
Park authorities said drivers had already been warned to follow safety protocols following a previous leopard-related incident. After Thursday’s episode, the park has suspended all non-AC bus safaris until every vehicle undergoes a full safety inspection. “Inconvenience caused to visitors is regretted,” the official statement noted.
Brut India reported that some passengers were teasing the leopard, which may have provoked the reaction.
The clip has sparked strong reactions online. One user wrote, “When will humans have civic sense?” Another commented, “We as humans should have some basic sense or else we should be ready to face any kind of consequences.”
A third user said, “People lack civic sense in this country since the beginning of time.” Someone else remarked, “Very sad but I wish people would understand that wild animals are not to be disturbed or irritated. Also why have a bus with open windows and jeopardise the life of the people?”
