Big cat spotted twice inside airside zone as forest teams race to trap it before it strays into high security areas; forest officials said the leopard has been under observation in the Lohegaon village area for the past 15 to 20 days
Forest officials said the leopard has been under observation in the Lohegaon village area for the past 15 to 20 days. Pic/By Special Arrangement
A Leopard was spotted twice inside Pune International Airport on November 19, triggering heightened monitoring and precautionary measures by the Forest Department and airport authorities.
According to officials, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) informed the Forest Department that the animal was first seen at 5.30 am and again at 7.40 pm near Bay No. 9 and the Taxi Link K4 area. Both sightings occurred within the airside section of the airport, which operates as a civil enclave of the Indian Air Force’s Lohegaon Air Base.
Forest officials said the leopard has been under observation in the Lohegaon village area for the past 15 to 20 days. A trap cage and several camera traps have already been deployed to monitor its movement and attempt a safe capture.
In a statement issued Saturday night, the Forest Department said it has advised both the AAI and the Indian Air Force to immediately implement precautionary measures to prevent the animal from entering restricted or high security zones of the airport and air base. “It is essential that these measures are implemented without delay,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a leopard was spotted early on Sunday near RBI Colony and Sindh Society in Aundh. In a statement released Sunday evening, forest officials said the Pune Forest Department, along with an expert team, is on the ground tracking the animal and is fully equipped to ensure its safe capture. All housing societies and residents in the area have been alerted and advised to remain vigilant.
The leopard has not been seen since 4 am. Teams will continue monitoring the area through the night as a precaution. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops, the official added.
This is the second major leopard sighting at Pune airport in 2025. On April 28, a leopard was seen inside the airport premises, prompting a large-scale search operation. The Forest Department deployed two trap cages, seven camera traps and a dog squad to track its movement. Multiple sightings were recorded, though the animal was never captured. Civilian and IAF flying operations remained unaffected.
Pune airport shares a single runway with the Lohegaon Air Base, requiring close coordination between civilian and military authorities. The presence of a wild animal near operational zones is considered a significant safety concern.
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