Forest Department Deploys Thermal Drones After Leopard Sighting in Pune Residential Area

The large feline was observed wandering near Sindh Society during early morning hours. (Representational)

Pune:

Following a leopard sighting in a residential neighborhood of Aundh, Pune on Sunday, the Forest Department initiated an extensive search operation utilizing thermal drones and specialized equipment, according to an official statement.

The wild leopard was detected moving around Sindh Society at approximately 4 AM.

"RESQ Teams are actively conducting a search operation throughout the area employing thermal drones and other advanced technologies. Since the initial 4 AM sighting, the leopard has not been observed again. All residential societies and citizens have been notified and advised to remain vigilant and take safety precautions," explained a senior Forest Department representative.

In response to increasing incidents of leopard sightings and human attacks, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently approved a proposal from the Maharashtra government seeking to implement birth control measures for leopards within the state, officials had previously reported.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis noted that leopard attacks have resulted in human casualties in the Pune district, and approximately 1,300 leopards currently inhabit the Pune and Ahilyanagar districts.