Leopard Attack in Barwani: 9-Year-Old Boy Dies 21 Days Later, Rabies Suspected

A nine-year-old boy from a village on the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border has died 21 days after suffering severe injuries in a leopard attack in Barwani district, with forest and health officials suspecting that he may have developed rabies. Authorities are awaiting confirmation of the cause of death, while the possibility of rabies has prompted the forest department to prepare precautionary measures.

The incident occurred on July 7 in Moharat Mal village under the Bijasan area, where two children were reportedly attacked after they accidentally entered a spot in the forest where a leopard was resting. Both boys were rescued and treated for their injuries before being discharged from hospital on July 22. Dhar Leopard Attack: Big Cat Enters Village, Pounces on Forest Guard and Injures 4 Others; Search Underway (Watch Video).

Leopard Attack Leaves Two Children Injured

According to Sendhwa Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Om Prakash Bidare, Kunal (9) and Arun (10) had gone into the forest to graze goats when they inadvertently strayed into an area where the leopard was resting. The leopard allegedly attacked both children. Kunal sustained severe bite injuries to his face, while Arun suffered injuries to other parts of his body.

The boys were first taken to the Civil Hospital in Sendhwa before being referred to MY Hospital in Indore for advanced treatment. After receiving medical care, both were discharged on July 22. Rajasthan Leopard Attack: Big Cat Enters Liquor Shop in Tonk, Attacks 3 (Video).

Rabies Suspicion Puts Authorities on Alert

Kunal died 21 days after the attack, and officials are now investigating whether rabies may have contributed to his death. The suspected case has put the forest department on alert as authorities await medical confirmation.

“In case rabies is detected, protocol will be followed. The area will be sanitised and the leopard will be rescued,” Conservator of Forests Basu Kanojia said. She added that the health department has not yet shared the details regarding the cause of death.

Officials said the next course of action will depend on the findings of the health department. If rabies is confirmed, the forest department plans to implement standard safety protocols, including sanitising the affected area and launching efforts to rescue the leopard, in accordance with wildlife and public health guidelines.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2026 08:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).