In a dangerous new development that has wildlife authorities deeply concerned, residents of several villages in Pune's Junnar tehsil have started organizing informal night leopard safaris, where groups venture out in vehicles after dark to spot and chase the big cats.
Risky Nocturnal Adventures Gain Popularity
What began as curiosity-driven excursions has evolved into a full-blown trend over recent months. Villagers, particularly youths, gather after dinner and drive towards sugarcane fields and forest fringes known for frequent leopard movement. Using their vehicle headlights to spot eye-shine or movement in the darkness, participants sometimes even chase the animals when they encounter them.
The practice, locally termed "night leopard safari", has become increasingly popular in villages including Otur, Pimpari Pendhar, and areas near Aalephata. Junnar tehsil is recognized for having one of the highest leopard densities in Maharashtra, making these encounters particularly frequent and dangerous.
Social Media Fuels Dangerous Trend
Videos captured during these nighttime adventures, showing leopards being startled or cornered by vehicles, are widely circulated on social media platforms. This online visibility has further fueled curiosity and imitation among local residents, creating a cycle of increasingly risky behavior.
Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forest of Junnar division, expressed serious concerns about the development. "This is a disturbing development. Such close-range encounters can easily provoke animals, making them aggressive and more likely to attack," she stated. "This is the first time we are seeing a trend of this sort in the state. It is not only illegal but puts everyone at risk."
Ecological and Safety Consequences
Forest officials emphasize that chasing or blocking leopards with vehicles significantly increases stress levels in the animals, potentially altering their natural behavior patterns and increasing conflict with humans. The disturbed animals might subsequently attack motorcyclists or venture closer to human settlements in unpredictable ways.
The region has already witnessed multiple fatal leopard attacks recently, with three fatal attacks occurring in Pimparkhed village alone in the last month. Narendra Dhome, sarpanch of Pimparkhed village, questioned the wisdom of these activities: "People should ideally not get into this kind of insane activity. If something goes wrong, who would be responsible for it?"
While some forest officials acknowledge challenges in taking strong action against offenders, conservation measures are being implemented. Forest teams have begun patrolling sensitive areas and are considering issuing strict warnings and initiating legal action where necessary. Awareness campaigns are also being planned to discourage villagers from engaging in night safaris.
Pradip Chavan, range forest officer in Junnar, affirmed their commitment to addressing the issue: "We can't simply allow them to indulge in such practices. It's highly disturbing for us and the animal. We will check each video and act against the violators appropriately."
Wildlife experts stress that the growing overlap between human settlements and leopard habitats requires responsible coexistence rather than thrill-seeking behavior. As this dangerous trend spreads across more villages, authorities urge residents to prioritize safety, respect wildlife protection laws, and avoid activities that could escalate human-animal conflict in the region.
