Residents of the Gorai-Manori belt have spotted pugmarks hinting at the presence of leopards in the area. The locals and forest department have claimed that leopard sightings in the area are unheard of.  The locals have been spotting huge pugmarks in the forested patch in the area for the past 15 days. The approximate road distance between SGNP main gate to Gorai where the leopard was spotted is 25 km.

Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) Santosh Saste from Thane Forest Department (Territorial) said, “We are surprised about the sighting of leopard that has taken place in Gorai belt as it is not properly connected to SGNP. However, if we see the Google Map, then we can spot possible connectivity. The leopard may have travelled from SGNP to Gorai via the green patch near Mira-Bhayandar. After that, it can easily reach Gorai as there is a green cover in that patch. Our team has already installed camera traps in the area. It will be really interesting to see which individual leopard from SGNP is roaming in that area.”