Two Leopards Chase Motorcyclist, Video Goes Viral; Increasing Leopard Attacks Near Pune Cause Panic
Pune, November 16, 2024: The increased leopard activity and attacks in Shirur taluka, Junnar and other areas of Pune district have raised fear and anxiety among local residents.
Recently on November 11, two leopards were caught on CCTV camera chasing a motorcyclist in Shirur taluka. In the viral video, the leopards can be seen suddenly coming out of the bushes and chasing the motorcyclist. Fortunately, the rider managed to escape without any harm.
Watch the video here:
Recent Leopard Attacks
In the recent past, conflicts between leopards and humans have claimed several lives and left many seriously injured. Some of the major incidents are as follows:
October 18, 2024: Seven-year-old Vansh Rajkumar Singh was attacked by a leopard in Mandavgan Farata village in Shirur. Vansh’s parents, who had come here from Uttar Pradesh to work as laborers, are in deep shock over the incident. The incident took place when Vansh had gone near a sugarcane field.
8 November 2024: Four-year-old hivtej Saadhan Tembhekar was attacked by a leopard in Tembhekar Basti in Mandavgan Farata. Shivtej was playing in the courtyard of the house when the leopard grabbed him and dragged him to a nearby field. Neighbours tried to help, but the child could not be saved. Following the incident, villagers expressed deep anger over the delay by the forest department.
19 October 2024: Another child was attacked by a leopard in Gokulnagar area of ​​Shirur, losing his life.
Apart from these incidents, there are reports of leopard attacks on cattle as well, such as in Wagholi and Bhadale Basti.
Reasons for the Growing Leopard Attacks
Experts say that dense sugarcane fields have become ideal hiding places for leopards. Also, they come to human settlements for easy prey such as dogs, chickens and goats. The increase in sugarcane cultivation in Junnar, Ambegaon, Shirur and other areas is increasing the number and activities of leopards.
Villagers Demand Action
In the past one year, eight people have lost their lives and many have been injured in leopard attacks in Pune district. Anger is growing among the villagers over the failure of the forest department, which has so far failed to capture the leopards. Despite 14 cages, the leopards have not been caught. Locals are now demanding more effective measures, such as increasing patrolling, responding promptly to attacks, and relocating leopards to protected areas.
This conflict between leopards and humans has also emerged as an important issue in regional politics and assembly elections.
