Gujarat: 9-year-old boy mauled to death in suspected leopard attack in Bhavnagar 🐆🐾🚨

A nine-year-old boy was killed in a suspected big cat attack in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district on Tuesday evening, adding to a string of recent fatal human-wildlife conflict incidents reported from the region.

The victim, identified as Nitya Gondaliya, had left his home in Bambhaniya village under Mahuva taluka at around 5:30 p.m. to head towards agricultural fields near Mobhiyana village. He is believed to have been attacked by a wild animal at approximately 6:30 p.m.
When the child failed to return home, his family and local villagers launched a search across nearby farmlands and adjoining forest areas. During the search, some villagers reported spotting two wild animals, including what they believed to be a leopard cub.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the attack was carried out by a leopard or a lion. Officials said the absence of CCTV cameras in the area has made it difficult to determine the exact sequence of events.
The child was eventually located with severe injuries and rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. According to police, he sustained a torn left leg, multiple scratches across his body, injuries to his neck and elbow, and serious head wounds, including the loss of part of his scalp.

Forest department officials have initiated an investigation and are examining footprints, photographs and other evidence to determine the species responsible for the attack.
The victim’s father, Prakash Gondaliya, said the family searched throughout the village before extending the search to nearby farms and forested areas, where they eventually found the boy.

A relative of the family claimed that this was the third such wildlife attack reported in the area in recent days, adding that the animals seen nearby appeared to be leopards.
The incident has sparked fresh concern among residents of Bambhaniya village, highlighting growing fears over recurring human-wildlife conflict in the region.

#wildlifeindianews #ManAnimalConflict #LeopardAttack