The biggest worry for forest officials was the open door of the flat and they only hoped that the leopard decided to stay put.
In what was easily one of the most daring leopard rescue operations by the forest department in recent times, a mix of quick thinking, team work and a little bit of daredevilry ensured that the leopard was rescued before the situation got out of hand.
Around 10:30am, after injuring five residents of Nanepada, the big cat entered the ground floor flat of the Pujari’s. While Ganesh Pujari was injured when the leopard attacked him, he managed to escape with his son Amit. The leopard then took shelter under the bed.
The biggest worry for forest officials was the open door of the flat and they only hoped that the leopard decided to stay put.
“Using ropes, nets, plywood, we covered the exit points in the lane leading to the building where the leopard was hiding and the area was cordoned off. Our worry was the door but in a brave move, Vaibhav Patil, member of the SGNP’s leopard rescue team, went ahead and quickly latched the open door, thus ensuring that the only escape route of the leopard was shut,” said Pawan Sharma, Wildlife Warden, Thane. This turned out to be a major turning point as had that door not been secured, the leopard could have attacked more people and made the operation even more difficult.
“At first, we could not spot the leopard inside the flat but as we neared the window from behind the building, the leopard leapt in front of us and stood on the kitchen platform. All we had between the leopard and us was the window grille, which would have easily given way had the leopard banged on it even once,” said Dr Shailesh Pethe, veterinary officer, SGNP.
Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, DCF, Thane Forest (Territorial), shared that carrying out a rescue operation of a wild cat, which is under stress and has attacked people is very difficult and what made the entire operation even more challenging was the fact that the area was congested.
“Its sad that five people were injured but we are glad that there was no casualty and even the leopard could be rescued in time. The leopard is at SGNP and will undergo medical examination after which we will decide on its release,” he said.
Earlier in the morning, there was chaos as people were being attacked and the leopard was running amok. The Thane and SGNP rescue team, along with all the three wildlife wardens — Sunish Kunju, Mayur Kamath and Pawan Sharma — and NGO members from PAWS-Mumbai and RAWW helped manage the ground situation since 8am.
Mystery of the Spotted Cat
“It’s difficult to point out from where and how the leopard travelled to Nanepada as the forest area is far away. We had received information about a leopard being spotted by a motorist on Eastern Express Highway on Thursday and the caller said the leopard seemed injured but we could not locate it. We will medically examine this leopard and only then can we draw conclusions.
Leopards are very adaptable and elusive,” said Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, DCF, Thane Forest (Territorial).
MAN-LEOPARD CONFLICT IN MUMBAI
September 30, 2017: Two women are attacked by a leopard in Aarey Colony.
August 21, 2016: A leopard attacks and kills a man near Tokawade, Shahapur, Thane.
August 20, 2016: A leopard attacks and kills Barku Bhoir (52) while he is grazing cattle in the Palu-Sonavale dam area.
August 15, 2016: A female leopard attacks Vasant Irim, a resident of Amgaon, Talasari who succumbs to his injuries.
October 11, 2015: A four-year-old girl from Kamtipada in Thane district dies after she is attacked by a leopard while sleeping in her open house.
October 2013: Seven-year-old Prakash Salunkhe, on his way home from Aarey municipal school, is killed after a leopard attacked him.
October 2013: A leopard attacks four-year-old Hiya Mhase, despite her grandmother being with her, while she is out answering nature’s call at Khadakpada in Aarey colony.
January 2013: Ten-year-old Saurabh Yadav is killed by a leopard at Adarsh Nagar in Aarey Colony while he is answering nature’s call.
November 2012: Sitabai Paage, a resident of Moroshi Pada in Thane district, is killed by a leopard when she steps out of her house at night to relieve herself.
Compiled by DNA – Research N Archives
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