Pune: 10 Leopards from Junnar Forest Division to Be Moved to Jamnagar, Gujarat

Junnar, 31st July 2024: Leopards that were causing problems in the Khed, Ambegaon, Junnar, and Shirur talukas of the Junnar forest area are captured and treated at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre. Once their condition stabilizes, these leopards will be relocated to Gujarat.

The conflict between leopards and humans has intensified due to the rising number of leopards in the northern side Pune district. In response to this situation, there was a call to release the leopards into other sanctuaries in the Junnar Forest Division. Hence, 10 leopards will be sent to Gujarat today as part of the first phase of relocation.

The conflict has endangered farmers’ livestock and led to human attacks, resulting in several fatalities. MP Dr Amol Kolhe raised the issue in Parliament, which prompted the decision to relocate the leopards from Junnar to Gujarat.

According to the Junnar Forest Division, 10 leopards will be moved to the Central Zoo (Vantara) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The central government has approved this relocation. A few months ago, the Junnar Forest Division submitted a proposal to the Government of Maharashtra for leopard breeding control.

The human-leopard conflict has escalated in Khed, Ambegaon, Shirur, and Junnar within the Junnar Forest Division. Given the rapid breeding rate of leopards, their population, which is currently decreasing, is expected to rise again in the future. MP Kolhe emphasized that a permanent solution to this issue involves controlling leopard breeding and declaring affected areas as state disaster zones.