3 more leopards captured in Pune’s Shirur range amid rising human-wildlife conflict

On Monday, a six-year-old female leopard was captured in a cage installed on the farm of one Rohidad Temkar in the Pimparkhed village during the day. On Monday night, a seven-year-old male leopard was captured in the cage installed on the farm of one Santosh Sonavane.

On Tuesday, a nine-year-old male leopard was captured in a cage installed on the farm of one Datta Wadane in the Chandoh village, located around 4 km from Pimparkhed. All three leopards have been sent to the leopard rehabilitation centre at Manikdoh.

Last week, a leopard was reported on the premises of the Fiat Automobiles plant in Ranjangaon, Shirur, in the early hours of December 3. This leopard was captured the next day in a cage installed on the premises after the sighting. Two more leopards were captured in cages installed in Pimparkhed and Kawade village on December 3 and 4.

3 deaths in Shirur due to leopard attacks

In the two villages, Pimparkhed and Jambut in the Shirur taluka, three deaths occurred due to leopard attacks between October 12 and November 1: Shivanya Bombe, 5, on October 12; Bhagubai Jadhav, 70, on October 22; and Rohan Bombe, 13, on November 1.

These incidents triggered massive public outrage. In protest against the increasing leopard attacks in Junnar, Shirur, Ambegaon, and Khed talukas, villagers staged agitations blocking the Belhe–Jejuri Road on October 12 and 22 and the Pune-Nashik highway at Manchar on November 3.

On November 2, following the death of Rohan, 13, an angry mob set fire to a Forest Department patrol vehicle and the local base camp building, resulting in significant damage.

The Pune Forest Department subsequently obtained immediate permission from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to capture or shoot dead the animal. Special teams from the Forest Department, including those from ResQ Charitable Trust in Pune, were deployed.

A male leopard over five years old, suspected to be involved in the Pimparkhed attacks, was shot dead on November 5 after efforts to tranquilise it with a dart failed. The animal became aggressive and charged at the team, leaving officials with no option but to open fire.