Leopards from Pune likely to be relocated to Vantara Gujarat amid increase in attacks

Jamnagar: The growing leopard population in the Pune district is putting pressure on local shelters and leading to increased leopard attacks in urban areas. To address this issue, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has suggested relocating some leopards to the Vantara wild animal care and conservation project in Jamnagar or other suitable centers.

The Manikdoh Leopard Sanctuary in Pune is currently treating injured and disabled leopards and is operating at full capacity. Frequent leopard sightings and attacks in Junnar and Ambegaon talukas of Maharashtra have caused injuries and fatalities among residents. As a result, local authorities declared these areas as ‘leopard disaster-prone.’

The delay in establishing a new leopard shelter due to pending approvals has worsened the situation in Pune. The relocation to Gujarat is viewed as a necessary step to ease the pressure on local facilities and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. DeshGujarat