Leopard Spotted Near Pune Airport, Authorities Step Up Surveillance

Pune, Dec 08, 2025: A leopard was spotted near Pune Airport on Saturday and again on Sunday night, prompting authorities to increase surveillance in the area. The big cat was seen when air traffic was low and the airport surroundings were quiet.

In a video recorded using a flashlight, the leopard is seen sitting calmly by the roadside before slowly walking back into the darkness. The incident surfaced at a time when airports across the country are already dealing with flight cancellations, delays and heavy passenger congestion.

A leopard captured on video near Pune Airport has prompted the Forest Department to install trap cameras and seek help from Australian wildlife experts to capture the animal safely.

Leopard sightings around the airport and nearby regions have reportedly risen over the past few months. To monitor the animal’s movements, the Maharashtra Forest Department has installed seven trap cameras around the airport.

To ensure safe capture and relocation of the leopard, the department has sought assistance from a team of Australian wildlife experts known for handling such rescue situations.

The developments come amid increasing leopard-human conflict in parts of the state. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recently approved Maharashtra’s proposal for the birth-control programme for leopards following a rise in attacks.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that leopard attacks have claimed multiple lives in Pune district. Pune and Ahilyanagar together are home to nearly 1,300 leopards.

Recently, a leopard was spotted near residential colonies in Junnar, Pune. A video widely shared on social media shows a young man filming the animal from inside his car, claiming the leopard visits the same location every day. The video ends with the leopard approaching his house.

Last month, another leopard was seen roaming inside a residential neighbourhood in Pune, after which a major search operation using thermal drones and advanced tracking equipment was launched.