After random trapping of leopards from Nashik following man-animal conflicts, the Forest Department has decided to release three of the five wildcats brought to SGNP from Nashik. However, wildlife experts feel the animals should be released in the same area from where they were captured.

According to the law, trapping of leopards, a Scheduled-1 animal is permitted as per Section 11 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and permission is given only if there are attacks on humans. In the last two to three months, five leopards were caught in East Nashik district. Post capture, the animals were sent to the leopard rescue and rehabilitation centre at SGNP in Borivli. But the centre could not accommodate any more leopards.