The forest department in Thane has significantly heightened its vigilance across city areas bordering forest zones. This decisive action comes in direct response to two separate leopard sightings captured on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday.
Details of the Dual Sightings
The first incident occurred at Warli Pada in the Srinagar locality, near the Thane-Mulund border. Here, the leopard was recorded attacking a community dog shortly after midnight. The second sighting took place outside the forest department's office at the entry gate of Yeoor, opposite Upwan Lake. In this instance, another community dog was targeted by the wild cat.
Forest officials are actively investigating whether the animal seen in both CCTV recordings is the same individual. While confirming both events, authorities have emphasized that there is no immediate cause for public panic. They noted that these locations fall within the natural territory of leopards from the adjoining Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
Precautionary Measures and Official Response
A senior forest official provided details on the steps being taken. "It is not clear if it is the same leopard in the two instances," the official stated. "There are over 40-45 leopards inside the SGNP. The areas where they were spotted are part of the natural leopard territory, but we are nonetheless taking precautions."
The department's multi-pronged strategy includes:
- Creating awareness among local residents about safety protocols.
- Setting up camera traps in the area to monitor movement.
- Considering the deployment of cage traps after consulting with senior officials.
Context and Local Awareness
This recent event marks the third leopard sighting within a single week along the Warlipada stretch. Fortunately, there have been no reports of any harm to humans so far. Residents of the area acknowledge that spotting leopards is a relatively regular occurrence, given the proximity of their neighborhoods to the dense jungle.
The forest department continues to monitor the situation closely, balancing ecological realities with urban safety concerns. Their proactive approach aims to ensure coexistence while minimizing potential conflicts between wildlife and the city's inhabitants.
