Daijiworld Media Network - Pune

Pune, Dec 12: A male adult leopard that had been roaming intermittently inside the Pune Airport premises since late April was finally tranquilised and captured safely on Friday, forest officials said.

The multi-agency operation was led by the Forest Department with support from RESQ Charitable Trust, the Indian Air Force and Pune Airport authorities. The leopard’s presence was first confirmed on April 28 and again on November 19.

Officials said the elusive big cat had been navigating a maze of underground tunnels, dense vegetation and low-footfall zones within the airport, making capture efforts extremely challenging. Camera traps, live surveillance cameras and trap cages were deployed for months, but the leopard continued to evade the cages.

On December 4, authorities received information that the animal had entered the underground tunnel network. All tunnel exits were sealed and additional cameras were installed to track its movement.

A 30-member team from the Forest Department, RESQ and the IAF gradually guided the leopard into an 80-foot-long tunnel, where wildlife veterinarian Dr Gourav Mangla darted it. “The leopard had damaged both live cameras, and I had to take a clean shot from a very difficult angle in a confined space. The team’s calm coordination ensured success,” Dr Mangla said.

The leopard has since recovered and is under observation at the Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan. Deputy Conservator of Forests Mahadev Mohite said the coordinated effort ensured there were no human injuries and airport operations continued without disruption.