Categories: Culture

Sigh of relief for villagers near Pune as intruding leopard rescued after 10-hour-long operation

<p>
<strong>Villagers of Maharashtra’s Jaulake Khurd in Pune district have been lately experiencing a rise in human-animal conflict as another leopard was found wandering in their area. The animal was finally rescued on Friday after a strenuous 10-hour-long operation conducted by the Maharashtra Forest Department in tandem with Wildlife SOS, bringing much-needed relief to the residents.</strong></p>
<p>
After being alerted about the leopard sighting, the Forest Department officials along with the NGO’s Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar swung into action.</p>
<p>
Using footage from camera traps and tracking pugmarks, the rescue team confirmed the location of the leopard as it was the first and essential step for its rescue. The initial attempt failed as the frightened creature fled.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/The_rescue_opertaion_lasted_over_10_hours.jpg" style="width: 720px; height: 480px;" /></p>
<p>
Eventually, the leopard was located sitting in tall grasslands and the forest department immediately secured the area using safety nets. Precautionary measures like wearing protective gear and blocking every exit point were taken and then a trap cage with food bait was placed nearby to lure the leopard in.</p>
<p>
Waiting for several hours paid off, when the leopard successfully entered the trap cage and was transferred to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre for medical observation.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/Wildlife_SOS_and_Forest_Department_team_gearing_up_for_the_rescue_operation.jpg" style="width: 720px; height: 480px;" /></p>
<p>
Sharing his thoughts about this long operation, Pradip Raundal, Range Forest Officer, Khed  Range said: “The Jaulake Khurd village has previously not experienced as much human-leopard conflict. However, leopards are slowly shifting into this area. The biggest challenge we faced in rescuing this leopard was that it was camouflaged during the day and extremely active at night.”</p>
<p>
Describing the tracking of leopard as a formidable task, Dr. Nikhil Bangar, Wildlife SOS Veterinary Officer, said: “The Forest Department and Wildlife SOS team were able to track the leopard in a record-breaking time of about a day.”</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Pakistani citizen extradited to US for alleged ISIS-linked terror plot: FBI Director Kash Patel

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, has been extradited to the United…

32 seconds ago

Axiom-4 mission postponed as SpaceX detects leak

SpaceX on Wednesday announced the postponement of the Falcon 9 launch of the Ax-4 mission…

9 minutes ago

American security expert torches Khalistanis, hails PM Modi’s magnanimity on accepting Canada’s G7 invite

Former Pentagon official and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Michael Rubin, has come…

19 minutes ago

Protests in LA intensify over federal immigration sweeps, tear gas used

Protests outside a federal detention centre in Los Angeles turned tense as law enforcement agencies,…

27 minutes ago

Jaishankar, European Commission President Leyen discuss ways to deepen partnership

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to…

13 hours ago

“Op Sindoor is proof govt transformed India’s security apparatus”: Rajnath Singh

Stressing that Rs 1.75 lakh crore defence production & Rs 30,000 crore defence exports targets…

14 hours ago