Pune: In the early hours of Monday morning, a couple traveling by two-wheeler on the Nirgudsar-Pimpalgaon road had a close encounter with two leopards on the Belsarwadi bridge.

The incident occurred around 4:30 AM when the couple was suddenly confronted by the wild animals, leaving them in a state of panic.

The couple, attempting to make their way across the bridge, spotted the leopards by the roadside. They immediately turned their vehicle around in fear but, determined to move forward, they made a second attempt.

Unfortunately, the leopards had not moved and remained in a threatening position, ready to attack. Unable to pass, the couple stopped about 200 meters away, too terrified to proceed further.

Their ordeal lasted for several minutes until, at around 4:45 AM, a car arrived from the Nirgudsar side. The couple informed the driver about the presence of the leopards, and with the car’s assistance, they were able to cross the bridge safely.

Seeing the four-wheeler, the leopards ran off into the nearby fields, allowing the couple to continue their journey unharmed.

This is not the first time leopards have been spotted in the region. The stretch of road between Nirgudsar and Pimpalgaon has become increasingly dangerous due to frequent leopard sightings, especially in the Belsarwadi area.

Locals and commuters have expressed growing concern about their safety, with many calling on the forest department to take immediate action by installing traps to capture the wild animals.

With early morning traffic on this route being a regular occurrence, the risk of leopard encounters is rising, and travelers are urged to remain cautious while passing through the area.