Valsad (Rajeev Sharma): A three-year-old child died in Gujarat’s Valsad district after a leopard allegedly dragged him away from the area outside his home in Bhinar village, prompting a search operation by forest officials and police.
The incident was reported to authorities on Monday evening, with forest officials receiving information around 8 to 8:30 p.m. that a young child had been taken by a leopard.
Forest teams and local police immediately reached the village and launched a search operation. The child’s body was later recovered, following which authorities began the formal inquest and post-mortem process.
Bhagirath Singh Jhala, Assistant Conservator of Forests for the Dharampur subdivision, said the initial information pointed towards a leopard attack. However, officials have not yet established the exact cause of death.
The final determination will be made after the post-mortem examination, officials said.
Authorities are also preparing the required documentation to facilitate compensation for the bereaved family under applicable government provisions.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to locate the leopard believed to be involved in the incident. Five teams under the supervision of the Range Forest Officer have been deployed in the area to track and capture the animal.
Forest personnel are conducting searches around Bhinar village and nearby areas as part of the operation. Officials have urged residents to remain cautious while teams continue working to secure the area.
The incident has raised fresh concerns among villagers about the presence of leopards near residential areas. Forest authorities said they are making every effort to capture the animal and prevent any further threat to people living in the vicinity.
The exact circumstances surrounding the child’s death are expected to become clearer once the post-mortem report is completed.
