Pune-based wildlife biologist and leopard expert, Dr Vidya Athreya, said that the animal needs to be trapped
The death of two-and-half-year-old Vihaan Garuda on Saturday has left not only forest officials, but also wildlife biologists, perturbed with this being the fourth incident since March this year in which children were attacked by a leopard in and around Aarey Colony, while three were injured one succumbed.
On Saturday, Nilesh Garuda father of Vihaan who works with the forest department at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) was visiting his relatives in Morachipada, which is near Filmcity bordering with Royal palms. “After visiting the pada, Garuda and his relatives decided to go out for a walk along a forested path leading to the helipad, which is a restricted area and is known to be frequented by leopards. While returning back there was some distance between Nilesh and his son who was on foot, which proved fatal as a leopard pounced and grabbed the boy,” said a senior forest official adding that a frantic search by the members finally led them to the grievously injured Vihaan and even as they rushed him to Veena hospital in Malad east he was declared brought dead.
Forest department officials are now investigating if the attacks are deliberate on children. "It's difficult to understand if the leopard was indeed targeting children and the reasons for it. While we are cautious about not randomly trapping leopards, in this case if we find that there is a need, we will surely trap it," said a forest official.
Pune-based wildlife biologist and leopard expert, Dr Vidya Athreya, said that the animal needs to be trapped. "The biggest challenge will be ensuring that the right animal is trapped, hence the forest department and the team working in Aarey, which has been camera trapping leopards, need to work in coordination," she said.
Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) Thane Territorial, said that intensive camera trapping has been initiated on the site since Sunday to find out the animal involved after which further action will be decided. "We have asked the security from Film City as well as Maharashtra Security Force to not allow anyone to go towards this forested trail on foot, especially tourists who come to Film City in buses. Apart from this, we have also decided to provide a training session for the security staff about avoiding conflict with the leopard," he said.
HUMAN-LEOPARD CONFLICTS
- March 22: Three-year-old boy attacked at Chafyachapada, Aarey Colony
- May 15: Three-year-old boy severely injured after attack at Khadakpada, Aarey Colony
- May 27: Four-year-old boy from Royal Palms attacked
- July 22: Two-and-half-year-old boy died after being attacked near Film City
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