Pune residents in the Keshavnagar area were jolted by another close encounter with a wild predator this week. A leopard was seen moving through residential complexes in the dead of night, between Wednesday and Thursday, raising alarms and prompting immediate action from authorities and local welfare groups.
Nighttime Movement Captured on Camera
The big cat's presence was first confirmed through CCTV footage obtained from housing societies. The visual evidence showed the animal navigating between two adjacent residential complexes located within a single campus. The initial sighting was recorded at 2:27 am at Konark Riva society. Subsequently, the leopard was seen entering the premises of the neighbouring Alcon Silverleaf society.
Sudhir Srivastava, director of the Keshavnagar Welfare Associations (KENWA), provided details of the encounter. He stated that security personnel at Konark Riva observed the leopard approaching from the direction of a nearby sewage treatment plant. "It emerged from behind our society, crossed our main gate, and then proceeded towards Alcon Silverleaf. It walked right past the security guard stationed there. After seeing the animal, our guard rushed into his cabin and locked himself inside for safety," Srivastava explained.
Forest Department Investigation and Safety Measures
Following the reports, a team from the forest department visited both societies on Thursday morning. Their inspection yielded concrete evidence of the animal's recent activity. Officials discovered fresh pugmarks in soft soil near open patches within the premises. The paw prints, found in damp earth close to the periphery, matched the timings captured in the CCTV footage.
A senior forest official indicated that the leopard likely entered from the Manjari side, an area characterised by large expanses of open land and farmland. "The animal might also have travelled along the edge of the Mula-Mutha river. Since Keshavnagar is a densely built-up zone, these are the most plausible routes it took," the official noted, confirming that monitoring efforts are ongoing.
In response to the incident, security across the campus has been intensified. Srivastava has issued clear advisories to all residents. People have been instructed to avoid stepping out after 9 pm. Children are not to be outdoors without adult supervision, and morning walks have been temporarily discouraged as a precautionary measure.
A Pattern of Urban Wildlife Encounters
This sighting in Keshavnagar follows recent similar reports from other parts of Pune, including Aundh and Bavdhan, where leopards were seen but could not be tracked afterwards. Forest officials acknowledge that such movements are not uncommon. Pune's outskirts host multiple natural leopard habitats, and the animals occasionally wander into urban areas, particularly during nighttime hours in search of food or territory.
The recurring incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of human-wildlife coexistence in expanding urban frontiers. They underscore the importance of vigilance, prompt reporting, and adherence to safety guidelines issued by local authorities and forest departments.
