Leopard kills 4-year-old girl in Chhota Udepur, captured

CHHOTA UDEPUR : Gujarat: A four-year-old girl was killed in a leopard attack in Mota Vajpur village of Bodeli taluka on Wednesday night, triggering fear and anger across the region. The child was playing in the courtyard of her home when the leopard attacked and dragged her away, officials said.

The victim, identified as Bhavyaben, daughter of Popatbhai Rathwa, was playing with three other children at around 8 pm when the leopard suddenly emerged and attacked her. According to villagers, the animal dragged the child for nearly 100 metres before fleeing.

As family members and nearby residents raised an alarm, the leopard abandoned the injured girl and escaped into the darkness. Bhavyaben was immediately rushed to the Jambughoda Community Health Centre, but doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Calling the incident “deeply tragic”, Deputy Conservator of Forests Rupak Solanki said the department launched a special operation within hours of the attack.

“A rapid search operation was started immediately. We installed cages, deployed trap cameras and carried out intensive combing of the area. The leopard has now been captured, and the necessary investigation is underway to confirm whether it is the same animal involved in the attack,” Solanki said.

He added that the process for providing government compensation to the bereaved family had also been initiated.

Villagers say leopard sightings have increased sharply in recent months. Govindbhai Gamjibhai Baria, a resident of the area, claimed that another leopard attack had occurred between Nana Vajpur and Mota Vajpur only a week earlier.

“The menace is increasing day by day. Earlier, a boy was seriously injured in a leopard attack, and now an innocent child has lost her life. People are living in fear,” he said.

The latest attack has intensified concerns about human-wildlife conflict in Chhota Udepur district. Just five days ago, a 70-year-old woman was reportedly killed by a leopard in Raisingpura village of Kwant taluka.

Forest officials have urged residents of villages near forest areas to remain alert, avoid leaving children unattended outdoors after dark and report leopard sightings immediately. The captured animal has been taken into custody, and further legal and veterinary procedures are in progress.