Residents of Mahagenco’s Koradi Colony, about 15 km from Nagpur, heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday night after a leopard that had been causing fear in the area was finally trapped in a cage. However, the tension returned on Friday afternoon when a motorcyclist and his wife had a sudden encounter with a leopard near Gumthala village, close to Koradi. The man suffered minor injuries during the incident.
The leopard in Koradi Colony had been a source of worry for over a month, with frequent sightings reported by travelers and employees of the power generation company. The issue gained significant attention on November 27 when a video of the leopard resting on the colony’s compound wall went viral on social media, creating widespread concern. Despite efforts to chase it away, the leopard repeatedly returned to the area, likely in search of food.
Residents pointed out that the colony’s dense vegetation and the abundance of pets and stray dogs provided an ideal habitat for the leopard. The poorly lit streets near the residential quarters also made it easier for the predator to move around unnoticed. Experts suggest that the leopard was likely attracted to the area in search of smaller prey.
Forest Department Takes Action
Bharat Singh Hada, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DyCF), Nagpur, confirmed the leopard’s presence in the colony, stating that it frequently crossed the highway at night to enter the area. Previously, two leopards had been captured on the power plant premises and released into the wild. Acting on requests from colony representatives and Mahagenco officials, the forest department deployed a trap cage baited with a dog. The leopard was successfully captured overnight and relocated to an undisclosed location.
“The situation had turned critical with the leopard frequently preying on stray dogs in the area,” Hada stated. On Friday morning, more than 700 residents gathered to catch a glimpse of the captured leopard, applauding the forest department for their prompt action.
Motorcyclist’s narrow escape
In a separate incident on Friday afternoon, another leopard crossed paths with a motorcyclist and his wife on a narrow road near Gumthala village. The man suffered minor injuries after the startled leopard reacted defensively.
“The victim was taken to IGGMC for treatment and discharged shortly thereafter,” Hada said. “Camera traps will be deployed to survey the area and identify the animal involved in this encounter. This region appears to be traditional leopard territory, but rapid urbanization has led to habitat loss, increasing the likelihood of such incidents.
Experts note that leopards can coexist with humans, as demonstrated in regions like Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), where leopards often venture into human- populated areas without direct conflict. These predators are generally nocturnal and prefer to avoid human activity.
The incidents in Koradi underscore the challenges of managing human-wildlife interactions in areas undergoing urbanization. While the forest department’s swift action has provided temporary relief, the need for long-term strategies to address habitat loss and ensure safe coexistence remains imperative.