Bengaluru, 7 Oct

A leopard safari at Bannerghatta National Park near here turned quite adventurous for a group of tourists after a big cat suddenly leaped at the window of their bus, leaving them stunned. The incident, which lasted 21 seconds and was captured on video, has gone viral on social media, garnering over 60,000 views on the 'Karnataka Portfolio' Instagram account.

According to park officials, the bus had paused to allow passengers to observe wildlife when the leopard suddenly appeared, pressing its paws against the glass and peering inside. As the leopard attempted to climb onto the vehicle, the driver cautiously moved forward, prompting the big cat to retreat back into its natural habitat.

The brief encounter elicited gasps and screams from the startled tourists. Fortunately, the bus's strong fences and glass windows ensured the safety of everyone onboard, with no injuries reported.

AV Surya Sen, IFS and Executive Director of Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), emphasized that such encounters, while rare, are part of the unpredictable nature of wildlife safaris.

"Leopards are curious by nature, and they sometimes approach vehicles out of sheer curiosity," he explained. "Our safari vehicles are designed with the safety of tourists in mind. Thankfully, these leopards are accustomed to human presence from a young age and do not display any aggressive behavior despite the excitement."

Mahadev S, Chief Public Relations Officer of BBP, highlighted the importance of respecting wildlife territory. "This is their habitat, and such interactions serve as a reminder of our closeness to nature. Visitors must adhere to guidelines to ensure their safety and the well-being of the animals."

Experts recommend that safari participants keep windows fully closed during tours to mitigate any risks associated with close encounters with wildlife. -Salar News