Endangered wild cats stray onto Pune-Mumbai Expressway; pose danger to own lives and those of motorists
Endangered wild cats stray onto Pune-Mumbai Expressway; pose danger to own lives and those of motoristsu00a0
Official records place the number of leopards in the state at a mere 500. The numbers could plummet further if the government does not do anything to stop the wild cats from straying onto the Mumbai Pune expressway.
Experts fear that with the sugarcane cutting season coming to a close, the cats are likely to stray onto the expressway more often, thus posing a threat to their own lives and to that of motorists.
Leopard killed
Not surprisingly, a leopard was killed in an accident on the Pune-Mumbai expressway near Baur on Maval taluka a week back.
Forest officials confirm that incidents of leopards straying in the Haveli, Maval and Daund talukas of Pune district are on the rise. In fact, last week four such incidents were reported and a leopard was trapped at Navisandh in Haveli taluka. Officials say forest guards have increased patrolling after the instances came to light.
Ideal habitat
Vidya Athreya, a wildlife activist who has worked extensively in various forests in Maharashtra, said, "Sugarcane fields provide a good habitat for these creatures. Normally, they do not venture into the city areas unless their habitat is disturbed. If they don't get their natural prey in the wild, they go for dogs and pigs.
Waste food thrown by hotels, poultry farms and dhabas along the expressway attracts a large number of dogs and this, in turn, attracts leopards."
Conservator of Forest Sanjay Pathak confirmed that there were cases of sighting of leopards at Haveli, Maval and Daund taluka of Pune district and that they might be coming out of sugar cane fields. Foresters believe the leopards could be migrating from the Maval taluka where sugarcane crops are abundant.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
