Successful Capture of Elusive Leopard at Pune Airport After Months-Long Operation

The presence of the large feline was initially detected on April 28 (Representational)

Pune:

Forest officials announced on Friday that a mature male leopard, which had been periodically wandering within the Pune Airport grounds since late April, has been successfully tranquilized and safely captured.

The capture was accomplished through a collaborative operation led by the Forest Department, working alongside RESQ Charitable Trust, the Indian Air Force, and Pune Airport authorities.

The leopard was first confirmed on the premises on April 28, with another sighting reported on November 19.

According to forest officials, the wild animal navigated through an extensive network of underground tunnels, thick vegetation, and low-traffic areas within the airport boundaries to move around the facility.

The capture efforts were challenging due to the vast and sensitive nature of the airport environment. Officials maintained constant surveillance using camera traps, live monitoring systems, and trap cages, though the leopard consistently avoided entering the cages.

On December 4, authorities were notified that the leopard had entered the underground tunnel network. Teams promptly sealed the tunnel exits and installed additional live surveillance cameras to monitor its movements within the confined area.

A team of 30 personnel from the Forest Department, RESQ trust, and Indian Air Force successfully guided the leopard into an approximately 80-foot-long tunnel. Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Gourav Mangla then administered the tranquilizer.

"The leopard had damaged both live cameras, forcing me to take a precise shot from a challenging angle in the confined tunnel space. The successful darting was only possible because all team members maintained their positions calmly and executed the plan exactly as designed," Dr. Mangla explained.

The leopard has since recovered and is currently housed at the Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan, Pune, where it will undergo further observation and assessment.

Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests for Pune Division, credited the successful capture to the effective coordination among various agencies. Officials noted that no human injuries occurred during the operation, and airport operations continued without any disruption.