A routine safari trip at Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) took a terrifying turn on Thursday, November 14, 2025, when a leopard suddenly leaped onto a safari bus, injuring a 56-year-old woman from Chennai. This harrowing **Leopard Attack Safari** incident, captured in a viral video, has led to the indefinite suspension of all non-air-conditioned bus safaris at the park as authorities launch a comprehensive safety review, underscoring the inherent risks of wildlife tourism.
Woman Injured in Terrifying Leopard Attack Safari
The victim, identified as Vahitha Banu, a resident of Chennai, was travelling in a non-AC safari bus within the park’s leopard enclosure around 1 PM when the unexpected attack occurred. According to park officials, the leopard scaled the vehicle and managed to reach through a small gap in the mesh-covered window, clawing Banu’s hand. She received immediate first aid at the scene before being transferred to a hospital in Jigani, where her condition has been reported as stable. This particular **Leopard Attack Safari** serves as a stark reminder of potential dangers.
A video of the incident, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, shows the leopard jumping onto the moving bus and attempting to reach the passengers through the window opening. The footage has amplified public concern over safety protocols during a **Leopard Attack Safari** within the popular wildlife attraction.
Safety Review and Suspension of Services After Leopard Attack Safari
In response to the alarming incident, Bannerghatta Biological Park authorities have taken swift action, suspending all non-AC bus safari operations indefinitely. The park management stated that the downtime will be utilized for a complete safety assessment of all safari vehicles to prevent another **Leopard Attack Safari** scenario. “The buses will be assessed for complete safety during the downtime. Inconvenience caused to visitors is regretted,” read an official statement. Air-conditioned buses, which are equipped with sealed windows, will continue to operate as usual, offering a safer alternative on safari.
Park officials emphasized that safari drivers had previously been cautioned regarding increased leopard activity and instructed to strictly adhere to safety protocols. The **Leopard Attack Safari** incident, however, has raised fresh concerns about the compliance and effectiveness of these directives.
A Pattern of Concern: The Second Incident in Months During Leopard Attack Safari
Thursday’s attack is not an isolated event; it marks the second leopard-related incident involving a safari bus at BBP in just three months, highlighting a recurring challenge for **Leopard Attack Safari** operations. On August 15, 2025, a 12-year-old boy sustained minor scratches when a leopard’s claws brushed against the window grills of a safari bus. Following that episode, Karnataka’s Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre had reportedly directed park authorities to install protective mesh covers on all safari bus windows and designated photography points to prevent direct animal-visitor contact during any **Leopard Attack Safari**.
While some safety upgrades may have been implemented, the latest incident suggests that either the modifications were incomplete for all vehicles, or existing measures were insufficient. Reports also indicate that older tourist-corporation buses might still be in the process of being converted to meet the new safety standards, potentially contributing to the vulnerability that led to Banu’s injury during a **Leopard Attack Safari**.
Debate Ignites Over ‘Civic Sense’ and Wildlife Tourism Risks
The viral video and the subsequent injury have ignited a debate on social media regarding ‘civic sense’ among tourists when visiting wildlife habitats. Some reports suggest that passengers may have been teasing the leopard, potentially provoking its aggressive reaction during the **Leopard Attack Safari**. This aspect of the incident underscores a broader issue in wildlife tourism: the delicate balance between visitor experience and the well-being and natural behavior of wild animals, as well as the potential for a **safari bus incident**.
Bannerghatta Biological Park, which houses rescued leopards in its 20-hectare enclosure, is a key destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Officials have often stated that animals approaching vehicles is normal behavior, showcasing their activeness. However, this latest featured news highlights the critical need for robust safety infrastructure to manage these animal encounters, ensuring that curiosity does not lead to danger. The park’s enclosure is secured by a 4.5-meter-high chain-link fence with metal sheets and railway barricades, but the gap in the bus window proved to be a critical vulnerability during the **Leopard Attack Safari**, raising questions about **Bannerghatta park safety**.
Re-evaluating Safety in Wildlife Encounters During a Leopard Attack Safari
The incident has pushed Bannerghatta Biological Park to critically re-evaluate its safari operations, particularly concerning the non-AC fleet and the risk of a **Leopard Attack Safari**. The park is undertaking a comprehensive internal review to identify operational lapses and reinforce visitor protection. The findings of this audit and the subsequent modifications are expected to shape future safari protocols, aiming to restore visitor confidence and prevent a recurrence of such alarming events. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that such thrilling, yet potentially dangerous, close encounters are managed with the utmost safety during any **Leopard Attack Safari**.
