Viral video shows leopard approaching Mumbai housing society; forest department says patrolling

A leopard was spotted roaming near the wall of a residential area along Mumbai’s Jogeshwari-Vikhroli link road, triggering panic among residents and others in the area, a forest official said on Sunday. The big cat was captured on a CCTV camera installed at a residential society near Aarey forest. The video went viral on social media. Leopards roaming near our society are very scary and dangerous. It can lead to conflict situations. A resident of the association said, “We are coordinating with forest officials to resolve the issue.”

The forest staff is closely monitoring the situation and conducting night patrols in and around the area on a daily basis, the official said. He said citizens should not panic and contact the forest department’s toll-free helpline 1926 if they spot a leopard. Pawan Sharma, founder and president of RAWW (Resqink Wildlife Welfare Society), said that in the suburbs of Mumbai, especially in areas around Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) or Aarey, just It is not dangerous to see a leopard.

He said due to their instincts, wild animals often stray into human habitats in search of easy prey. Citizens should avoid entering dark areas at night. They should keep the society well lit for clear visibility. Sharma, who is also the honorary wildlife warden of the forest department, said small children and pets should be accompanied by adults, while security personnel should stay in their cabins and use flashlights at night.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)