Leopard rescued from Bhayandar society returns to wild; monitoring shows adapting to its natural habitat

Health check at SGNP

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.

Forest minister visits site and injured locals

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.

Decision to use satellite tracking

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.

Leopard released with GPS collar

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.

Monitoring to reduce human-wildlife conflict

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

Leopard settling back into the wild

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

Tracking after release

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."

 

 

 

 

 

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