Aug 12, 2025: A woman in Rajasthan tied a Rakhi to a leopard, calling the wild cat her "brother" and promising to protect him in a remarkable display of human-animal connection. The extraordinary event, captured on camera, shows the leopard sitting rather calmly during the ritual.
The video was shared on X (formerly Twitter), by the handle ‘VinoBhojak’.
The woman is seen tying a rakhi, trying to feed the leopard some sweets, and holding the leopard's paw gently. Locals say that the animal has been seen frequently entering the village and doesn't seem to be afraid of people. However, internet users' reactions to the incident varied. Slamming the incident, a user wrote, “Probably the same people that wounded the poor animal.”
Another user made the observation, "Uncivilized people." Another user wrote, "That leopard doesn’t look like it’s fully aware of the surroundings.. drugged?"
While the act speaks volumes about the deep emotional bonds that can form between humans and wildlife, the Forest Department has issued a stern warning labelling the encounter as a 'dangerous act' and urging the public to maintain a safe distance from wild animals.