A five-year-old boy, the son of a farm labourer, was mauled to death by a leopard in Gujarat’s Amreli district on Sunday morning, triggering panic in the area and prompting an intensive search operation by forest officials.

Child attacked while walking with mother

The incident occurred around 9 am in Gopalgram village under Dhari town limits. According to forest officials, the leopard was hiding in a nearby farm when it suddenly attacked the child, who was walking a short distance behind his mother.

The big cat dragged the boy into the fields before fleeing. The child, identified as Sahil Katara, sustained severe injuries in the attack.

“He was rushed to a government hospital immediately, but doctors declared him dead on arrival,” said Pratap Chandu, in-charge Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF).

Forest department launches search operation

Following the incident, the Gujarat Forest Department launched a search and capture operation to trace the leopard. Officials said three cages have been installed in and around the village, and forest teams are combing nearby farms and forested patches.

“Our teams are continuously scanning the area. The leopard is believed to be hiding in agricultural land close to the village,” an official said, adding that efforts are being made to ensure the safety of residents.

Villagers have been advised to remain indoors, especially during early morning and late evening hours, and to avoid venturing into fields alone.

Fear grips villages after repeated attacks

The incident has renewed fears in the region, particularly as it follows a similar attack reported last month. On November 28, a one-year-old girl was killed by a leopard in the Dalkhaniya forest range, also in Amreli district.

Forest officials said increasing human-animal conflict in fringe areas near forests remains a serious concern, especially during winter months when wild animals often stray closer to human settlements in search of food.

Authorities assure action and support

Officials said compensation procedures for the bereaved family would be initiated as per norms. They also assured villagers that the leopard would be captured at the earliest to prevent further incidents.

The tragic death of the child has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger wildlife monitoring, early warning systems, and community awareness in forest-adjacent villages to reduce the risk of human-animal conflict.