A male leopard that had been intermittently roaming within the Pune International Airport premises since late April 2025 was successfully captured during a meticulously coordinated multi‑agency operation on the night of December 11–12, 2025, bringing to a close an eight-month wildlife rescue effort that had attracted national attention.
The operation, which lasted more than eight hours, was led by the Forest Department, aided by the RESQ Charitable Trust, the Indian Air Force (IAF), and Pune Airport authorities. Together, the 30‑member task force executed a complex tactical plan to guide and safely immobilise the big cat inside a deep underground tunnel network within the airport’s restricted landscape.
Long Haul: Tracking a Wily Big Cat
The presence of the adult male leopard was first confirmed on April 28, 2025, when forest officials reported sightings on airport grounds. Over subsequent months, the animal repeatedly evaded capture, exploiting the sprawling infrastructure — including stormwater drains, thick vegetation and seldom‑used zones — to move in and out of the airport without detection.
Officials deployed an array of camera traps, live surveillance systems and traditional trap cages in coordination with Indian Air Force personnel responsible for the airside areas. Despite this extensive monitoring effort, the leopard consistently avoided entering traps, presenting ongoing operational and safety challenges.
Key monitoring tactics included:
- Strategic placement of high‑resolution camera traps
- Reinforcement and closure of tunnel exits once the leopard’s movement was pinpointed
- Live feed monitoring to anticipate the animal’s direction
These measures proved pivotal in building the intelligence that ultimately led to the successful operation.
Critical Night Operation: Precision Over Haste
By early December, forest officials noted that the leopard had again entered an underground tunnel network, prompting a refined strategy that hinged on containment and precise tracking. On the evening of December 11, teams positioned themselves near an approximately 80‑foot tunnel stretch, where the animal was carefully guided.
Veterinarian Dr. Gourav Mangla, part of the expert field unit, successfully administered a tranquiliser in challenging, low‑visibility conditions, achieving immobilisation without harm to personnel or the animal. The leopard was then extracted from the confined underground space and transferred to the Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan, Pune for veterinary observation and recuperation.
Importantly, no human injuries were reported during the operation, and airfield operations remained unaffected, highlighting the planners’ commitment to safety and operational integrity.
Broader Context: Wildlife Management Challenges
This high‑profile rescue spotlights the growing challenges of human‑wildlife interactions in rapidly urbanising regions of Maharashtra. Instances of leopard sightings and conflict have risen across Pune and adjacent districts, prompting state authorities to consider expanded wildlife management strategies, including rescue shelters, sterilisation efforts and advanced monitoring technologies.
Local wildlife officials emphasise that proactive measures, supported by inter‑agency coordination and technological innovation, are crucial to safeguarding both public safety and animal welfare as cities and natural habitats increasingly intersect.
Looking Ahead
With the leopard now in professional care, authorities will assess the animal’s health and determine long‑term management under established wildlife protocols. The successful capture serves as a case study in measured, data‑driven wildlife rescue operations, and is likely to influence future responses to similar urban wildlife challenges in India.
