Pune: Leopard Rescued from Hunting Foot Trap in Daund
Pune, 8th August 2025: In a swift and coordinated operation, a female leopard was successfully rescued from a hunting foot trap set in a sugarcane field at Nangaon, Daund Taluka. The rescue was carried out jointly by the Pune Forest Department and the RESQ CT team.
This marks the third such incident in the Daund region over the past three years, raising serious concerns about the ongoing use of these illegal and dangerous trapping methods.
The incident was first reported around 10:00 AM by Aniket Shinde, Sarpanch of Nangaon village, who promptly alerted Range Forest Officer Rahul Kale and the RESQ team. Forest Department staff from the Daund range and local RESQ CT members reached the site by 11:00 AM, followed by the RESQ CT’s rapid response unit from Pune at 12:30 PM.
The adult female leopard, estimated to be around six years old, was found with her left front leg tightly caught in an iron foot trap. Exhausted and visibly stressed—likely from struggling through the night—she was safely tranquilised and extricated by 1:15 PM. Immediate field stabilisation was administered by Dr. Kalyani Thakur.
Dr. Kalyani Thakur, Senior Veterinarian at RESQ CT, who led the on-site medical response, said:
“The limb was tightly constricted with significant trauma. We will conduct detailed radiographs to determine the extent of internal injuries. The leopard has been admitted to the Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan, Pune, and is currently under close medical observation.”
Mahadev Mohite (IFS), Deputy Conservator of Forests (Territorial), Pune Division, strongly condemned the use of such traps:
“Foot traps are not only inhumane but also strictly illegal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. We urge local communities to immediately report any such activities to the Forest Department so that swift and appropriate action can be taken. An official investigation is underway, and we are committed to identifying those responsible.”
Tuhin Satarkar, Director – Wildlife Management, RESQ CT, emphasized the importance of timely collaboration:
“This rescue highlights the importance of a coordinated wildlife response. Prompt communication between village leadership, the Forest Department, and our teams ensured that the animal received immediate care.”
Personnel Involved in the Rescue Operation
Maharashtra Forest Department – Daund Range
Rahul Kale, Range Forest Officer
Yogita Veer, Round Officer
Sonal Chavan, Forest Guard
RESQ Charitable Trust
Tuhin Satarkar
Amit Todkar
Nachiket Awadhani
Shreyas Kamble
Abhilash Bansod
Dr. Kalyani Thakur
Sagar Shinde
Prajwal Gaikwad
Local Rescuer
Govind Shelar, Shirur
The leopard is currently undergoing further medical evaluation at the Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre, Bavdhan, Pune.
