The Forest Department in Pune has initiated a major search operation following a confirmed leopard sighting in the densely populated Bavdhan area. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, December 1, 2025, marks the latest in a series of encounters between big cats and urban spaces in the city.
Midnight Sighting on Popular Walking Route
According to officials, the department received a video from alert residents around 12:30 AM on Monday. The footage showed the leopard on Pashan NDA Road, specifically opposite D Palace Chowk near Lantana Garden residential society. This location is a popular spot for morning and evening walks, heightening concerns among the local community.
"The presence of the leopard captured in the photo has been confirmed," stated a forest department officer. "Teams from the department and wildlife rescue experts have undertaken site verification. The sighting was around 12:30 am on December 1, and it was not spotted thereafter."
Search Operation and Community Alert
The forest department, along with experts from the ResQ Charitable Trust, has sprung into action. Authorities suspect the animal's likely movement corridor could be around the Ramnadi rivulet. As part of the response, camera traps have been installed and a thorough search has been launched to track the leopard's movement.
Former corporator and Bavdhan resident Dilip Vedepatil, who shared the crucial video with authorities, provided details. "The video was captured by my son's friend who was passing from the area at the time," he said. Vedepatil emphasized that while leopards have been spotted a few kilometers away, this was a first for this specific residential and commercial hub.
"We have urged the forest department to install more cameras so that movement can be tracked and necessary efforts to capture the leopard can be initiated," Vedepatil added. He also urged residents to remain alert and rely only on authentic sources of information.
A Pattern of Urban Encounters
This event is not an isolated one. It follows two other notable leopard sightings in Pune's urban landscape in November, where big cats were reported on the premises of Pune airport and Sindh Society in Aundh. This recurring pattern has brought the issue of human-wildlife conflict in expanding city frontiers into sharp focus.
The latest sighting has understandably caused anxiety. Resident Ashish Karade expressed the community's fear: "It is unsettling to know a leopard was spotted on the same road many use for morning and evening walks. The residents here are worried, especially parents and senior citizens. We just hope the animal is tracked quickly before anything untoward happens."
As the search continues, forest officials advise locals to exercise caution, especially during early morning and late evening hours. The department's efforts now concentrate on safely locating the animal and ensuring the safety of both the public and the leopard.
