Leopard mauls 5-year-old boy to death in Guj's Chhota Udepur

A five-year-old boy was mauled to death by a leopard in Gujarat's Chhota Udepur district, a forest department official said Tuesday.

attack took place when Vansh Rathwa was playing near his house in Umarva vill in Pavi Jetpur taluka on Monday evening, said Deputy Conservator of Forests Nilesh Pandya.

" leopard grabbed child by his neck, and tried to drag him away even as his far pelted stones at animal to save his child. boy sustained deep injuries to neck and died en route to hospital," Pandya said.

"Umarva is a revenue vill located near a forest area. leopard may have strayed in search of prey and water. region has received low rainfall this year," he said.

Pandya said five cs and trap cameras have been placed in area to capture leopard and forest staff were keeping vigil.

(Representative Im)