9 months ago
Series of Safari Incidents Puts India's Parks on Edge
There have been several scary moments at animal parks in India recently.
In one case, a leopard scratched a woman's hand through the window of a safari bus.
It happened because the leopard climbed onto the bus and reached through a small hole in the net covering the window.
In another park, tigers attacked people, so the park had to close for a while.
A rhino even ran after a jeep carrying a mom and her daughter, who fell out but were okay.
Elephants have also hurt people, including mahouts who ride them.
Experts are worried about how people visit these parks safely and are looking at ways to protect both the animals and the visitors.
A woman was injured by a leopard clawing through the mesh window of a safari bus at Bannerghatta Biological Park on Thursday.
Following the leopard incident, officials shut down non-air-conditioned safari buses and are considering enhanced safety measures.
Previous incidents include a leopard injuring a boy in August 2025 and tiger attacks leading to safari shutdowns in other parks.
Other safari scares involved a rhino trailing a jeep, an elephant killing a mahout, and concerns about unregulated lion tourism practices.
These recurring events highlight ongoing safety challenges in India's wildlife tourism sector.
- Who
- A leopard, a woman named Vahitha Banu, a boy named Suhas, tigers, a rhino, elephants, lions, tourists, park officials, and PETA India.
- What
- A series of animal-related incidents occurring during safaris or in wildlife parks across India, resulting in injuries and raising safety concerns.
- Where
- Various locations in India including Bannerghatta Biological Park (Bengaluru), Nagarahole and Bandipur (Mysuru region), Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Kerala, Jaipur, Chavakkad, and Gir region (Gujarat).
- When
- Incidents occurred on Thursday, August 15 last year, earlier this month, in January, last year, and February.
- Why
- These incidents are attributed to factors such as animals' proximity to vehicles, potential gaps in safety measures, animal stress, and practices related to unregulated tourism like baiting.
Animal Welfare Advocates
Park Officials/Safety Measures
Deterrents for Animals
Animal Welfare Advocates
PETA India suggests elephants attacking humans are often beaten, adding to stress, and urges moving elephants to sanctuaries. Some scientists worry about unregulated tourism practices like baiting luring lions, diminishing their fear of humans and disrupting natural hunting behaviors.
Park Officials/Safety Measures
Park officials use metal wire mesh on safari buses to prevent direct contact with animals and have considered safety warnings on safari tickets. Following tiger attacks, trekking in human-wildlife conflict zones was suspended, and forest staff were directed to capture the responsible tiger.
Safari Vehicle Safety
Animal Welfare Advocates
Incidents like a leopard reaching through mesh windows or a rhino trailing jeeps highlight potential vulnerabilities in safari vehicle safety.
Park Officials/Safety Measures
Park officials have responded to incidents by shutting down non-air-conditioned safari buses and suggested fitting wire mesh on all windows. Safety warnings on safari tickets are also being considered.
Key facts
- Recent Leopard Incident
- Woman injured by leopard clawing through safari bus mesh window at Bannerghatta Biological Park on Thursday.
- Previous Leopard Incident
- A boy injured by a leopard in August 2025 at Bannerghatta Biological Park.
- Tiger Attacks
- Tiger attacks in Mysuru region led to temporary shutdown of safari operations in Nagarahole and Bandipur earlier this month.
- Rhino Incident
- Mother and daughter fell from a jeep during a rhino encounter in Kaziranga National Park in January.
- Elephant Incidents
- An elephant crushed a mahout to death in Kerala last year; other elephants injured tourists in Jaipur and Chavakkad.
- Lion Tourism Concerns
- Concerns raised about unregulated lion tourism on private land in Gujarat's Gir region, with steady attacks on humans.
Timeline
Leopards sighted near Mahbubnagar hills; forest workers try to trap one.
Then, a leopard appeared near Hyderabad's Outer Ring Road.
A nearby park closed as capture efforts continued.
Later, a leopard attacked a boy on safari through an open window.
Another safari vehicle incident injured a woman's hand; park halts some tours.
Quotes
Surya Sen
Bannerghatta Biological Park executive director
“The leopard, while climbing up the bus, clawed the boy's hand, which was in an accessible place. He was given first aid and checked for further injuries”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Leopard climbs bus, rhino trails jeeps: Series of safari scares put India’s parks on edge
Leopard Attacks Woman in BBP Safari, Second Case Since June
Woman hurt as leopard paws through bus window
Woman injured as leopard paws through safari bus window in Bannerghatta park
Video: Leopard Attacks Safari Vehicle In Karnataka, Injures 1
