Valparai, Tamil Nadu: A five-year-old boy was tragically killed in Valparai, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday after being mauled by a leopard. The victim, Saibul Alon, was the son of Rojab Ali and Sajitha Begum, migrant plantation workers residing at the Ayarpadi JE Bungalow Estate.
The incident occurred while Saibul was playing in front of his house. A leopard emerged and attacked the child, dragging him into the nearby forest. Authorities and local residents immediately launched a search operation.
The search team later discovered parts of Saibul's body, which had been partially eaten, in the forest. The remains were transported to the Valparai Taluk Hospital.
This is not an isolated incident, as leopard attacks have been recurring in the Valparai region. In June 2025, a four-year-old girl was killed by a leopard in the Coimbatore district after being dragged from outside her home into a dense forest. The victim, Roshini Kumari, was playing near a temple close to the Pachamalai estate when the leopard attacked. Her body was later found mutilated in a wooded area. In October 2024, another four-year-old girl was killed in a similar incident near the Uzhemala estate.
These incidents have sparked widespread grief and fear among local residents and plantation workers, highlighting the increasing human-wildlife conflict in the area. Incidents involving big cats, including tigers and leopards, have risen across India's forest edges and human settlements, driven by habitat loss and declining prey.
Forest authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, especially during early morning and nighttime hours, and have reinforced safety protocols and community awareness measures. The Forest Department has also deployed camera traps to monitor leopard activity and has taken steps to capture the responsible animal.
Following the June incident, the Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of ₹10 lakh for the family of Roshini Kumari. However, concerns remain about the long-term strategies needed to address the increasing threat posed by wild animals entering human settlements. Wildlife experts have suggested long-term mitigation measures, such as improved lighting, protective fencing, and the relocation of vulnerable settlements.
