Several locals and SGNP rescue team report seeing a third leopard, believed to be female, around area where two big cats were captured
The Leopard that was spotted close to the location where the male Leopard was trapped on Oct 30. Pic/Satish Lot
Even as a second leopard, a male, walked into the cage in Unit 15 early on Sunday, SGNP rescue team and Aarey locals reported seeing another big cat lurking around the same area throughout the day. Sources said that this wild cat could be a female.
“After a leopard was trapped and taken to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on Sunday morning, the sighting of another leopard continued in the area in broad daylight,” said a resident not willing to be named.
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The male leopard, second to be trapped within a week, was captured in the cage around 200-300 metres away from the spot where a girl was killed on Monday. The first leopard was trapped around 1 km away from this spot, said sources.
G Mallikarjun, the chief conservator of forests and director of the SGNP, confirmed to mid-day, “A male leopard walked into the trap cage set at Unit 15 in Aarey Milk Colony in the wee hours of Sunday. The animal was taken to the leopard rescue centre at the SGNP. We are investigating if it is the leopard suspected to be behind conflicts with humans. Based on the result, we will take further decisions. The camera trapping exercise will continue along with day and night patrolling.”
Locals in the area told mid-day that they spotted two leopards together close to where the male big cat was trapped on Sunday.
Also read: Mumbai: Second male leopard captured in Aarey Colony in less than a week
A pair seen Saturday night
Vasim Athaniya, a member of Aarey camera trapping team, said, “Late last night, the dogs in our area were continuously barking in the direction of the forest. While heading home, I saw a leopard walking towards the forest and within a few seconds, I saw another one following the first. They could be either siblings or a mating pair.”
After the male leopard was captured around 6 am on Sunday, at least 20-30 local residents claimed to have spotted a leopard lurking in the area. Stray dogs were constantly barking in the direction of the forest all day, too, said locals, adding that this is an indication that the wild cat was present in the area.
A forest department official said, “As multiple sightings continued in broad daylight on Sunday, our team was stationed in the area to prevent people from venturing into the forest.”
The team also conducted patrolling in the area.
The forest department has instructed the camera trapping team members to check the traps and go out in a group of three, considering the leopard is on the prowl in broad daylight.
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