Residents of Jayabhavani Road are on high alert after CCTV cameras captured two leopards wandering through the area at midnight. The big cats, believed to have come from the nearby forested area of the Artillery Center, were seen moving along the colony roads. In response, the forest department inspected the site on Tuesday (25th) and installed a cage to capture them.
The Artillery Center has a dense forest-like area where leopards are known to live. However, these wild animals often jump over the walls and enter nearby residential colonies. On March 20th, at around 2:45 am, CCTV footage from Lonkar Mala showed two leopards calmly walking past houses, one behind the other. Experts suggest that rising temperatures may have forced them to enter the settlement in search of water and food.
Fresh Sighting Raises Concerns
On Tuesday night, yet another leopard was seen on CCTV entering Lonkar Mala and wandering through the area. In the past few days, at least three wild animals, including a pair of leopards, have been spotted, creating panic among locals. One of the leopards was also seen roaming near the Shri Hanuman temple.
Local leaders, including MNS city vice-presidents Nitin Pandit and Dinesh Ghotekar, have informed the forest department and urged them to take immediate action. The frequent leopard sightings have worried residents, as past incidents have involved leopards attacking animals tied outside homes. With summer temperatures rising, concerns over leopard movements have grown, and authorities are urging citizens to stay alert, especially at night.