Maharashtra boy’s brave response to leopard attack prompts heightened vigil

An 11-year-old boy in Maharashtra’s Palghar district displayed remarkable courage on Friday evening when he fought off a leopard attack with the help of a classmate. The incident occurred near Mala Padvipada as Mayank Kuvara, a Class 5 student, was returning home from school.

According to officials, the leopard pounced on Kuvara, but his school bag acted as a protective shield, preventing more serious injuries. Kuvara and his friend responded with presence of mind, raising an alarm and pelting stones at the animal. Their cries alerted nearby residents, who rushed to the spot, prompting the leopard to retreat into the forest.

Kuvara sustained a claw injury on his hand and is undergoing treatment at Vikramgad Rural Hospital, where he received stitches, a medical officer confirmed.

Resident Forest Officer (Kanchad) Swapnil Mohite said forest personnel immediately reached the site of the attack and later visited the child at the hospital. He added that the department is treating the incident with urgency and has begun implementing preventive measures.

Schools in leopard-prone areas have been advised to close by 4 PM as a precaution. In addition, an AI-enabled camera is being installed to monitor leopard movement in the region, while villagers are being alerted through traditional Davandi (public announcement) systems.