In a dramatic and harrowing encounter on the outskirts of Gangda village in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, an elderly man fought and killed a wild leopard to protect his son during a sudden and vicious
attack on Thursday afternoon.
According to local accounts, the father was sitting outside his home when a leopard emerged from nearby bushland and launched an unprovoked attack on him.
Startled by his father’s screams, the son ran to assist, but the big cat turned its aggression onto him, inflicting deep wounds and causing severe bleeding.
Despite being injured himself during the initial assault, the father displayed remarkable bravery.
Grabbing a spear and a sickle that were kept nearby, he confronted the predator in a fierce struggle.
Villagers later described the scene as “bloody and intense,” with the man repeatedly striking the leopard until it collapsed and died on the spot.
The father and the son sustained serious injuries in the incident. They were quickly rushed to a private hospital for immediate medical attention, where they remain under treatment.
Forest department officials reached the scene soon after and took custody of the leopard’s carcass.
It has been sent for post-mortem examination, standard protocol in wildlife attacks, to determine more details about the animal’s health, age, and possible reasons for its proximity to human habitation.
LEOPARD POPULATION IN GUJARAT
According to the information available, Gujarat’s leopard population has increased in recent years, with state forest counts suggesting over 2,200 leopards statewide, particularly concentrated in Saurashtra and Kutch regions.
Leopards, unlike lions, are solitary, elusive big cats that often inhabit areas closer to human settlements in search of prey, which can lead to dangerous encounters such as this.
In addition, the state has recently recorded sightings of tigers in the Ratanmahal forests of Dahod district, marking the return of India’s third big-cat species to Gujarat and highlighting the expanding scope of wildlife diversity in the state.
Forest officials have reiterated the need for heightened vigilance and mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of similar attacks, including community awareness, improved fencing, and rapid response teams in areas where large carnivores and humans live in proximity.
