Leopard spreading panic in Thane caged

A three-year-old female Leopard was caught on Tuesday evening near Kolshet in Thane. The leopard, along its family of three, was on loose for about a month and was causing fear among the residents of Hirananadani Estates, Kolshet and Brahmand.

Though no human casualty has been reported so far, the leopard family often feasted on stray animals in the area. Last week, a leopard attacked and took away a dog from a shop in Hiranandani Estate. Following that forest department officials and elected representatives from the area met on Sunday to discuss ways to trap the leopard family.

All necessary permissions were obtained and forest officials’ traps proved successful in capturing one of the leopards near Air Force Station in Brahmand, said area corporator Manohar Dumbre.

“After proper medical treatment, the leopard will be left in the forest,” said assistant forest conservator (Thane) Sudhir Padawale.

Forest officials said the other leopards will be caught soon. “We will then decide further course of action about their relocation and other formalities,” said deputy forest conservator Anwar Ahmad.

Meanwhile, Madhu Menon, chairman of Hiranandani Residents Welfare Association (HERWA), welcomed the news of the leopard’s capture.

Mahesh Vijapurjar, a resident, said, “Wildlife researchers insist that tracking of just one leopard should not lead to complacency, and people have to remain alert rather than panicking.”