Pune: The rising number of leopards in the Narayangaon area has led to increased sightings of these big cats roaming residential areas in search of prey.
With the sugarcane harvesting season approaching, the situation is expected to worsen. For the past 15 days, leopards have been frequently seen jumping over compound walls and wandering inside housing societies, mainly hunting for domestic dogs.
This has heightened safety concerns for residents, particularly for children, as the leopards have been spotted in broad daylight and during the night. Although the Forest Department has placed a trap to catch the leopard, it has yet to be effective, leaving the situation unresolved.
The latest incident occurred early Friday morning when a leopard entered the premises of Kuber Madhukosh Society in Kolhe Mala.
CCTV footage from the society captured the leopard roaming the grounds for about two minutes before it easily leaped over the wall and disappeared.
Forest guards Dnyaneshwar Pawar and Sushant Bhujbal inspected the area and noted that while the department has set a trap in the locality, the leopard continues to roam freely without being captured.
To address the increasing threat, the Forest Department has conducted drone surveillance in the area and plans to install ‘Anider’ machines to deter leopards from entering housing societies.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Amol Satpute and Forest Range Officer Pradeep Chavan are leading the efforts to capture the elusive animal. Forest guard Dnyaneshwar Pawar urged residents to be especially vigilant, particularly at night, and to take extra precautions for the safety of their children.
Recent Leopard Encounters in the Area:
On September 28, a local resident, Dilip Kolhe, narrowly escaped a leopard attack.
On October 8, leopards were spotted in a soybean field and on the Kolhe Mala road, both during the day and night.
Leopards have previously been seen in Sakar Nagari and the rural hospital area.
A female leopard and her cubs have been residing in the region for some time.
Farmers have also reported sightings of a leopard pair near the Pate-Khaire Mala area.
