03 January,2026 08:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Forest officials decided to monitor the leopard closely before releasing it back into the wild. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department
A leopard that had entered Parijat Society, a residential building in Bhayandar East in Thane district of Maharashtra was released into the wild and its monitoring has shown that it is adapting to its natural habitat, officials said on Saturday.
Maharashtra Forest Department had on December, 19, 2025 safely rescued the leopard after it entered into a housing society and attacked multiple people. The animal was captured by rescue teams from Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and the Thane Forest Division.
Veterinary officers confirmed that the animal was healthy. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department
After the rescue, the leopard was taken to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, for a medical examination. Veterinary officers confirmed that the animal was healthy and had not suffered any injuries during the rescue operation.
Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik visited the site on 20 December 2025 to review the situation. He also met injured residents at a hospital to enquire about their condition.
Following his directions, forest officials decided to monitor the leopard closely before releasing it back into the wild.
A committee decided to fit the leopard with a Satellite GPS collar. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department
A committee formed by the Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Maharashtra, along with senior forest officials from the western region, reviewed the case.
After a detailed presentation by officials from SGNP, the committee decided to fit the leopard with a Satellite GPS collar and a microchip before releasing it into its natural habitat.
The leopard was fitted with a GPS satellite collar and microchip at SGNP after completing medical checks. It was then released into its natural habitat on 25 December 2025.
GPS satellite collar and microchip fitted on leopard. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department
The operation was carried out by teams from SGNP and the Thane Forest Division under the supervision of Anitta Patil, Conservator of Forests and Director, SGNP, and Sachin Repal, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Thane.
The GPS collar allows forest officials and a research team from an NGO to track the leopard's movement using GPS and radio signals. This will help officials study leopard behaviour and reduce human-leopard conflict in the region.
Forest staff are also gaining training in modern wildlife monitoring techniques through this initiative.
Leopard's movement can be tracked with GPS. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department
Since its release, officials have observed that the leopard is moving within its natural forest area and gradually stabilising. No further conflict has been reported so far.
Ganesh Naik, Forest Minister, Maharashtra, said, "Leopard conflict is increasing across the state. This was a young leopard that likely lost its way and entered the city. To understand its movement and prevent future conflicts, we fitted a radio collar and released it back into the forest. Our teams are monitoring it day and night and will respond immediately if required."
Leopard was seen settling well into its natural habitat. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department
Anitta Patil, Conservator of Forests and Director, SGNP, said, "The Forest Department is committed to protecting both people and wildlife. GPS tracking after release helps us make informed decisions and supports peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife."
