It was a face-off with all the odds stacked against an 11-year-old on his way back from school in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Friday evening, near the Mala Padvipada area.
Encountered by a leopard, Mayank Kuvara, a student of Class 5, along with his friend, did what they could do best: shout for help and ward off the big cat with loud cries, said officials on Saturday.
Displaying exemplary courage, Mayank hurled stones at the animal after it pounced on him, the worst of which was taken by his school bag that acted as a protective shield.
The self-defense gave the boys enough time to alert people nearby, who ran to the scene, forcing the leopard to beat a hasty retreat.
“A leopard attacked Kuvara, a class 5 student, when he was returning from school. He and another boy fought back with brave cries and threw stones,” officials confirmed.
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Kuvara is said to have suffered a claw injury to his hand and is currently undergoing treatment at Vikramgad Rural Hospital. A medical officer said the boy has received stitches for the injury.
Resident Forest Officer, Kanchad, Swapnil Mohite, said forest officials immediately rushed to the spot and later to the hospital where the boy was taken.
“The Forest Department is taking the incident seriously and is implementing several preventive measures,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has also requested schools in leopard-prone areas to shut down by 4 pm.
Mohite said an AI-enabled camera is being installed to track the movement of the big cat, while villages are being alerted through traditional ‘Davandi’ (public announcements).
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