Thermal drones unable to detect leopard, who had spread panic in area on Tuesday, in thick coconut and supari plantations
Illustration/Uday Mohite
More than 24 hours after a leopard entered Nagaon village near Alibag, the search for the animal continued on Wednesday. Dense coconut and supari plantations, many barricaded, posed major challenges for the forest department. The search was called off in the evening, as officials believe the leopard may have left the area.
On Tuesday morning, two people walking along a road in Nagaon were attacked by the leopard in an unprovoked confrontation, causing panic in the area
Nagaon sarpanch Harshada Mayeker said the incident began around 10.30 am on Tuesday when two people walking along a road were attacked. “Everyone was shocked; nothing like this has ever happened here. We alerted the forest department and police, who arrived within half an hour to locate and rescue the leopard,” she said.
Students were safely sent home via school buses or picked up by parents
A resident told mid-day that the village, home to roughly 12,000 people and nine schools, acted quickly once news spread. About 700-800 students were safely sent home via school buses or picked up by parents.
An extensive search using thermal drones failed to locate the big cat
The leopard, possibly agitated by the crowd, later injured five more people, including a forest department officer. All were treated for minor wounds. Pune-based NGO, RESQ CT, joined efforts in the evening to tranquilise the leopard.
Forest department officials and the police arrived to locate and rescue the animal within half and hour of being alerted by locals
But thick plantations and fencing made tracking difficult, and thermal drones were of no use. Over 150 personnel from the forest department, police, and NGOs continued the search overnight and resumed operations on Wednesday morning.
Nagaon sarpanch Harshada Mayeker and local police review safety measures. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Expert Speak
Neha Panchamia, RESQ founder
“Our Pune team reached Nagaon in three-and-a-half hours. Thick vegetation, numerous hiding spots, and large crowds kept disturbing the leopard. Thermal drones couldn’t penetrate dense plantations or structures. Despite night-long searches, it appears the leopard has left the area.”
Leopard spotted in Nagaon village
Kedar Gore
The Corbett Foundation “Leopards venturing into cities doesn’t always mean they are man-eaters. These incidents often reflect habitat fragmentation, lack of wild prey, and mismanaged waste, attracting stray dogs. People need awareness of safety measures. Releasing goats in forests can worsen conflicts by spreading invasive species and affecting forest quality.”
Dos and Don’ts: If a wild animal enters your area
Pune-based NGO RESQ reaches Nagaon village on Tuesday evening
Dos:
>> Stay calm and immediately inform the forest department or police
>> Keep a safe distance; keep pets and children indoors
>> Close doors, windows, and gates
>> Follow instructions from authorities; avoid crowding the area
Don’ts:
>> Don’t chase or corner the animal
>> Avoid loud noises that may disturb it
>> Never block its escape routes
Emergency contact
Maharashtra forest department: 022-25445459
10K-12K
People in the villages, and nine schools, acted swiftly after the initial attack
7
No of people injured by the leopard
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