30 Days, No Leopard Capture: Pune Airport Rescue Operation Under Scrutiny

Viman Nagar, 28th May 2025: More than a month since a leopard was first spotted inside the high-security premises of the Indian Air Force (IAF) base which also houses Pune International Airport——the wild animal remains uncaptured. Despite repeated sightings, rescue teams have failed to secure the animal, raising serious questions about the efficiency of the ongoing operation and the safety of passengers and Air Force personnel.

Airport employees, Air Force families, and thousands of daily commuters continue to live under the shadow of fear, as authorities struggle to bring the situation under control. “The leopard’s presence inside a strategic defence zone and a civilian airport is a clear and present danger. Delays in neutralizing this threat are inexcusable,” said a senior source associated with the airport security team.

Month-Long Wait, No Capture
The fully grown male leopard was first seen near the airport runway on the night of April 28, and was later again found lounging near the take-off zone that same evening. Despite being notified immediately, the Forest Department’s response has been sluggish and ineffective.

The initial search effort—jointly led by the Forest Department and RESQ Charitable Trust—included a handful of camera traps and cages. Even after the equipment was scaled up, rescue teams failed to capture the animal on two occasions. “The trap failed to close properly the first time, and the leopard escaped with the bait the second time,” N.R. Praveen, Chief Conservator of Forests, had said.

Sources also confirm that the leopard is suspected to have entered through an open drainage channel—a security gap that exposes larger vulnerabilities in perimeter safety.

Public Safety Traded for Silence
What makes the situation even more alarming is the lack of transparency. Authorities cite “security protocols” as a reason for withholding updates. However, this silence does little to comfort airport passengers or residents of the adjacent Air Force Station, who live in fear of a potential attack.

“The leopard is not just roaming the woods—it’s inside a defence base and a commercial airport. The threat isn’t hypothetical anymore,” said an IAF officer’s family member who resides on the premises.

National Security Overshadowed by Leopard Crisis
The operation had earlier been paused amid military tensions related to Operation Sindoor. However, as normalcy resumed, so did the leopard sightings. Since May 17, the animal has been observed multiple times, but capturing it remains elusive—raising eyebrows over coordination between the Forest Department, airport authorities, and defence officials.

Despite repeated assurances, the government has failed to restore a sense of safety.

Accountability in Question
What began as a wildlife rescue operation has now turned into a full-blown crisis. There is growing public outrage over the handling of the situation, particularly because the leopard continues to roam freely in one of the most sensitive zones in Pune.

“If this leopard were roaming outside a mall or railway station, would the administration be this slow?” asked an aviation safety expert. “Here, it’s an Air Force base and a major international airport. It’s not just about one leopard—it’s about the complete breakdown of emergency response.”

Call to Action
The Forest Department says the operation is in its final stage. But for now, all eyes are on what should have been done weeks ago: secure the airport, protect the people, and capture the leopard—without further delay.

Until then, a dangerous wild predator remains at large in one of Pune’s most secure installations. And that is simply unacceptable.