Pune |
A shocking incident in Pune’s Bhor taluka has once again highlighted the increasing encounters between humans and wildlife. A leopard attacked a pet dog sleeping in the courtyard of a house and dragged it away—while the owner, just a few feet away, was engrossed in his mobile phone. The entire incident was caught on CCTV, leaving the local community in fear.
What Happened?
The attack took place at Thakre Farmhouse in Degav village, Bhor, at around 3:30 AM. Farmer Jayanand Kale was lying on a cot outside his house, scrolling through his phone. His pet dog was sleeping close by. In the chilling footage, a leopard can be seen cautiously approaching the dog, calculating its move before launching the attack.
Within seconds, the big cat grabbed the dog by the neck and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Kale stunned. By the time he realized what had happened, the leopard was gone. The terrifying moment was captured on CCTV, which shows Kale running back inside in panic after witnessing the attack.
Leopard Attacks on the Rise
This is not an isolated incident. Leopard attacks on pets and livestock have surged in Bhor, Junnar, and Ambegaon talukas. Reports suggest that leopards are frequently taking shelter in sugarcane fields, making these areas high-risk zones for both animals and humans.
Residents have raised concerns, saying they fear stepping out at night. Many farmers have already lost livestock, and now even their homes and courtyards are not safe from these wild predators.
What’s Being Done?
- Locals have demanded that the forest department immediately set up cages to trap the leopard before another attack occurs.
- Warning boards and awareness drives have been launched, but villagers insist that the measures are not enough.
- Previous efforts to capture leopards have had limited success, as not all big cats get trapped, leading to continued fear among locals.
A Growing Conflict
The increasing presence of leopards in human settlements raises serious questions about habitat loss and shrinking wildlife corridors. While conservation is crucial, protecting people and their livestock is equally important.
As human encroachment into forest areas expands and sugarcane fields become temporary leopard shelters, the question remains—how will authorities strike a balance between wildlife protection and human safety? Until a long-term solution is found, villagers in these regions will continue to live in fear.
