Yet another leopard in the backyard, Thane locals quake with fear

The search for food has made a leopard extend its visits from the residential areas of Hiranandani Estate in Thane to its commercial areas. Early on Friday, the animal picked up a stray dog near an ATM at Arcadia building at Hiranandani circle. The residents of the area fear that the leopard may now attack people to satiate its hunger.

A leopard was spotted by the watchman of Arcadia building around 1.40am. When he saw the animal from a distance, he thought it was a dog. Only when the leopard came under a lamp pole, did he realise what it was. Scared, the watchman rushed inside and closed the building gate.

“Around 2am, the watchman heard a loud sound near the Standard Chartered bank ATM and saw the leopard dragging away a dog,” said CN Shetty from Herwa (Hiranandani Estate Resident Welfare Association).

A leopard was first sighted at Wellington building at Hirananandani Estate around 12.55am on September 3. “Since then, sighting of the leopard has become almost regular. It seems it’s now used to the area,” said Suvarna Sabnis, a local resident.  

After sunset whenever the strays bark, the residents fear the animal might be lurking anywhere in the vicinity. “We are now scared to get out of the house after 7pm and keep our children inside after 6.30pm,” added Sabnis. Not only that, the residents now fear to go out even for their morning walks.

“The security guards fear for their life. In Mulund, a leopard had entered a residential building to pick up a dog,” said another resident of the area.

In order to curb the menace, local corporator Manohar Dumbre has organised a meeting of the Herwa residents, police and forest officials.

“The leopard comes here in search of food. This is only because the forest has been encroached upon by people. I hope some kind of a solution comes out of this meeting,” said Sabnis.

ST Salgaokar, range forest officer, Yeoor, was not available for comment.

Recent sightings
September 16: Pugmarks were seen near Prakruti Pearl society at Hiranandani Estate

September 12: A leopard was spotted at 3am near the boundary wall of a residential building at Azad Nagar near Brahmand Complex along Ghodbunder road 

September 3: A leopard was sighted at Wellington building of Hirananandani Estate, Thane