Leopard Rescued After Entering Public Park in Pune’s Nigdi Area

A six-year-old male leopard that strayed into a public park in Pune’s Nigdi-Pradhikaran area was successfully tranquilized and rescued on Sunday in a joint operation by forest officials, local authorities, and wildlife experts. Officials believe the leopard may have wandered from the nearby Durga Tekdi region, where leopard sightings have been previously reported.

Leopard Spotted in Residential Area

The Pune Forest Department was alerted after residents near Sant Kabir Udyan, a public park in Nigdi, noticed the big cat on their property. CCTV footage from a nearby bungalow showed the leopard entering the compound around 6:30 AM. Concerned residents immediately contacted the local police, who then informed the forest authorities at around 9:00 AM.

Swift Action by Rescue Teams

Responding promptly, a coordinated rescue team—including forest officials, wildlife experts, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Fire Brigade, and the police—was mobilized. Given the sensitivity of the situation, a veterinary expert tranquilized the leopard safely. Once sedated, the animal was carefully secured and transported to a Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan for further evaluation.

Ongoing Monitoring and Conservation Efforts

Forest officials are now monitoring the leopard’s condition and assessing the circumstances that led to its movement into the urban area. Authorities are also working to prevent such incidents by strengthening conservation efforts and raising awareness among residents in regions prone to wildlife encounters.

This successful rescue highlights the importance of quick intervention and collaboration between wildlife officials and local authorities in ensuring both human safety and wildlife protection.