Journalism of Courage
As many as six people were left injured while they allegedly tried to capture a leopard in an unsafe manner at the Pavana Camping Site area in Ambegaon village under Wadgaon Maval taluka of Pune district Friday morning.
The state forest department team managed to rescue the sub-adult female leopard, weighing approximately 27 kilogram, and lodged an offence against the villagers for causing alleged violation of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The leopard was admitted to the Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) in Bavdhan for further examination and will be released in its natural habitat, stated a press release issued by Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Pune.
Forest officials said there was panic and chaos after the leopard was spotted on a tree in the Pavana Camping Site area near Pavana Lake, around 8 am.
After receiving information, a team led by Prakash Shinde, Range Forest Officer, Vadgaon-Maval, and the Pune rural police rushed to the spot. However, before the forest department team could arrive, local residents had attempted to capture the leopard in an unsafe manner using ropes and nets.
The press release stated that the leopard had not come to the spot to attack any human being. But due to chaos created by local residents and continuous barking of stray dogs, the leopard became aggressive. Unable to find ways to move away from the crowd, the leopard attacked people, leaving six persons injured. All six received minor injuries and are stable, said forest officials.
Meanwhile, the forest department took the leopard into custody. The leopard was then taken to the Wildlife TTC of RESQ Charitable Trust in Bavdhan. The tightly wound rope was carefully removed from the leopard’s body. Medical examination revealed minor injuries on the leopard. Anti-shock treatment and other essential medical care were provided to the leopard.
Mangesh Tate, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Pune forest division, has initiated a probe into the incident. The leopard may have left on its own, but locals restrained it using ropes and nets, which is not a proper method, he said.
DCF Mohite said those residents who caused a clear violation of the Wild Life Protection Act and harmed the leopard would be facing legal action.
Mohite said the public must avoid such attempts of capturing wild animals without proper training and equipment. People should avoid direct intervention and inform the forest department and follow the instructions given by officials and trained rescue teams.
