A recent wildlife safari at Bannerghatta National Park resulted in injury when a leopard unexpectedly climbed onto a tourist bus, leading to a woman sustaining injuries to her hand. The incident, which occurred around 1:00 PM during a leopard sighting, quickly gained viral attention after video footage was circulated online.

The victim was identified as 56-year-old Vahitha Banu from Chennai. While safari vehicles are typically equipped with protective metal mesh over the windows to ensure the safety of visitors, reports indicate the leopard managed to insert its paw through a small gap in the wiring, causing scratch injuries to her hand. Ms. Banu was immediately provided with first aid and subsequently transported to a private hospital in Jigani, where her condition was reported as stable.

Following the incident, park officials took immediate action, suspending all non-air-conditioned bus safaris to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection of every vehicle. The authorities stated they had previously cautioned drivers to adhere strictly to safety protocols, especially after a prior incident involving a leopard.

While the video footage shows the big cat leaping onto the bus, some sources suggest that the animal may have been provoked. The incident has ignited widespread debate on social media regarding visitor etiquette in wildlife areas, with many users criticizing the lack of “civic sense” among some tourists who may disturb or irritate wild animals.