Leopard attacks five-year-old boy in Valparai

Image for representation. A five-year-old boy was injured in a leopard attack near the Upper Peralai estate in Valparai, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday evening.The victim, Deekshu, son of Guruswamy and Nagajyothi, was sitting on his mother’s lap and playing after returning from school when the leopard, reportedly hiding in nearby bushes, suddenly pounced on him around 5 p.m.Also read the visual story: Waking to the call of the wildThe animal attacked the child on the head. His mother raised an alarm, drawing the attention of nearby residents. The leopard then abandoned the boy and fled into the forest.The injured child was rushed to the government hospital in Valparai and later shifted to a hospital in Coimbatore for specialised treatment.Local people said attacks by wild animals, including elephants, were frequent in the plantation area and urged the authorities to strengthen safety measures to protect people living and working near the forest fringe. Published - September 24, 2026 08:58 pm IST