Pune: Leopard Captured After Month-Long Operation Following Human Attacks in Shirur
Shirur, 25th August 2026: A leopard suspected of being involved in multiple attacks on humans in the eastern parts of Shirur taluka was tranquilised and captured by the Forest Department early Monday morning, bringing a month-long operation to track and trap the animal to an end.
The leopard had been frequently spotted in Pimpalsuti, Inamgaon, Mandavgan Farata, Shirasgaon Kata and neighbouring villages, triggering fear among residents.
The operation intensified after Bhagyashree Ware of Pimpalsuti was killed in a leopard attack on July 22. The area had also witnessed other incidents involving human casualties. Following the latest incident, villagers staged a road blockade demanding immediate action to capture the leopard.
The Forest Department deployed around 15 cages, 50 camera traps and drones to track the animal. Rescue teams monitored its movements and placed cages at locations identified as part of its regular movement routes. For the past six nights, rescue team veterinarians had kept watch from inside a cage placed near a cattle shed to identify an opportunity to tranquilise the leopard.
On Monday morning, the leopard entered a farm near the house of Srinivas Ghadge at Nalagemala in Inamgaon to feed on bait. The Forest Department team tranquilised the animal and safely captured it.
Officials said six leopards have been captured from Pimpalsuti and neighbouring areas in recent days as part of ongoing efforts to reduce human-leopard conflict in the region.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Junnar Deputy Conservator of Forests Prashant Khade, Assistant Conservator of Forests Smita Rajhans and Shirur Forest Range Officer Nilkanth Gavhane, with the support of forest staff, rescue team members and the RESQ Charitable Trust, Bavdhan.
The captured leopard has been shifted to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar for further treatment and observation.
