BENGALURU: Panic spread through Bannerughatta Biological Park (BBP) Thursday after a 56-year-old woman from Chennai was injured when a leopard leapt onto a safari bus inside a safari enclosure. Following the incident, park authorities indefinitely suspended non-AC bus safaris to reassess vehicle safety. According to BBP sources, the incident took place around 1pm when a non-AC safari bus, operated by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, entered the leopard enclosure. “Vahitha Banu was seated by the window when the leopard suddenly lunged towards the vehicle. Though she tried to move back quickly, it clawed her hand, causing bleeding,” a park staff member said. She was rushed to hospital where her condition is stable.In a statement, BBP executive director AV Surya Sen termed the incident “unfortunate” and said all safari drivers were earlier cautioned about leopard activity and instructed to take extra safety measures.“In light of this incident, non-AC bus safaris have been suspended indefinitely until a full safety review is completed,” the statement said. The park will inspect and reinforce all safari vehicles during downtime.This is the second leopardrelated incident in three months. On Aug 15, a 12-yearold boy suffered scratches when a leopard brushed its claws against the window grills of a safari bus. Following that episode, forest minister Eshwar Khandre had directed BBP officials to install mesh cover over all safari bus windows and photography points. Leopard Safari, spread across 20 hectares, houses several rescued and rehabilitat ed leopards from conflict-prone regions across Karnataka. The enclosure is secured by a 4.5-metre-high chain-link fence reinforced with metal sheets angled at 30 degrees and surrounded by railway barricades. Despite safeguards, Thursday’s incident reignited safety concerns and left visitors and staff on edge. Park officials said they are conducting a comprehensive review to ensure no lapses in protocol and to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
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