A male adult leopard, which had been intermittently roaming within Pune Airport’s premises since late April, was safely darted and captured on Friday, forest officials confirmed. The successful capture came after a coordinated multi-agency operation led by the Forest Department, in partnership with RESQ Charitable Trust, the Indian Air Force, and Pune Airport authorities.
The big cat’s presence was first confirmed on April 28, and it was spotted again on November 19. Forest officials explained that the leopard used a complex network of underground tunnels, dense vegetation, and low-traffic zones within the airport area to move in and out undetected.The vast and sensitive terrain posed significant challenges for the capture. Officials employed continuous monitoring through camera traps, live surveillance cameras, and trap cages, but the leopard avoided entering the cages.
On December 4, officials received information that the leopard had entered the underground tunnel system. Authorities then sealed the tunnel exits and installed additional live cameras to track its movement within the confined space.A 30-member team from the Forest Department, RESQ Trust, and Indian Air Force carefully guided the leopard into an approximately 80-foot-long tunnel. Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Gourav Mangla then successfully tranquilised the animal.Dr. Mangla said, “The leopard had damaged both live cameras, so I had to take a difficult shot from a confined angle inside the tunnel.
The operation succeeded because the teams maintained their positions calmly and executed the plan precisely. ”The leopard has since recovered and is now housed at the Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan, Pune, for further observation and care.Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pune Division, praised the inter-agency coordination that made the capture possible. Officials confirmed no human injuries occurred, and airport operations remained uninterrupted throughout the rescue.
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