Pune: Three Leopards Captured in Shirur Amid Rising Attacks; Forest Department Intensifies Action

Shirur, 4th December 2025: Rising leopard encounters and attacks have sparked fear across Shirur taluka, prompting the forest department to intensify its action. In a series of operations on Thursday, three leopards were successfully captured, one in the Ranjangaon Industrial Area and two others in Ravdewadi and Pimparkhed, bringing relief to residents anxious over human-wildlife conflict.

The Ranjangaon leopard, estimated to be three to four years old, was trapped in a cage within a company premises early Thursday morning and transported to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre, confirmed Taluka Forest Officer Nilkanth Gavhane.

Meanwhile, a female leopard aged around three to four years was captured near Kavthe Yemai in Ravdewadi, and a male leopard, approximately five years old, was captured in Pimparkhed. Both were sent to the rescue centre for care.

Earlier, a leopard that had fallen into a well in Fakate village on Wednesday was rescued after a farmer, Navnath Dattu Shelar, alerted social activist Shankar Pingale, who coordinated with Forest Range Officer Gavhane and Forest Guard Kesar. The rescue team retrieved the animal safely.

Human-Wildlife Conflict Escalates
Leopard activity continues across multiple villages, including Pimparkhed, Takli Haji Jambut, and Fakate, resulting in repeated human casualties. Last month, a man-eating leopard in Pimparkhed killed three people. Authorities have deployed 43 cages and authorized immediate shooting of predatory leopards upon sighting. So far, over 12 people have lost their lives in leopard attacks in Shirur taluka this year.

Residents in Shirur town, particularly along the riverside areas of Amardham, Sushila Park, and Surjanagar, report frequent leopard sightings in neighbourhoods such as Surjanagar, Khare Mala, Shani Mandir, Late Ali, Kumbar Ali, and Haldi Mohalla, heightening local fears.

To curb the escalating threat, the forest department has sanctioned Rs 11.25 crore for additional manpower, cages, cameras, and patrol vehicles. Officials stressed that skilled personnel are essential for the safe capture of leopards and for reducing human-wildlife conflicts, while ensuring public safety and animal welfare.