16 August,2016 08:10 AM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
Leopard sightings on the boundary wall of Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivli have become very common, and officials urge locals not to provoke the animals to avoid conflict
Many wildlife enthusiasts pay a lot of money to visit sanctuaries to spot a leopard, but for the residents of Rushivan, adjacent to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivli east, sighting the animal has been a regular affair. Late on Sunday night, a full grown leopard was spotted sitting on the boundary wall of SGNP.
Caught on camera: Leopard on the prowl in Borivli colony
One of the leopards seen sitting on the boundary wall of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Pic/PAWS-Mumbai
The SGNP authorities, along with the Mumbai Territorial Range of the Thane Forest Department, have been informed about the same. The authorities will be patrolling in the area at night, and some locals also plan on conducting an awareness programme to educate the residents about the dos and don'ts to avoid man-animal conflict.
Locals watch one of the leopards. Pic/Paws-Mumbai
In past two weeks, there have been frequent sightings of leopards sitting on the boundary wall of SGNP near Rushivan, and the local residents are happy with the sightings. Those staying in the towers near the boundary even sit in their balconies at night with torches to spot the leopards.
Caught on camera: Another leopard in Aarey Colony
Siddhesh Thavre points to the wall where the leopard was seen
Spotting leopards
Local resident Siddhesh Thavre, a volunteer with the NGO PAWS-Mumbai, has spotted a leopard twice in the past week, with the latest sighting on Sunday night.
Gattubhai Prajapati, who spotted the leopard first on Sunday. Pics/Ranjeet Jadhav
"I spotted a leopard sitting on the boundary wall of SGNP at a distance of less than 30-40 feet. When someone from the nearby building switched on a torch and pointed it towards the animal, it quietly walked away into the bushes," said Thavre.
On Sunday night, the leopard was first spotted sitting on the boundary wall by a tea vendor, and he even claimed that he saw the animal sitting on the road. Tea vendor Gattubhai Prajapati said, "Last night, I saw the animal sitting on the road. Our experience has been that if we don't disturb it, it will not do anything. In the past six years, there has not been a single human-animal conflict in the area."
A watchman from a nearby building, Sunil Randive, said that they make sure to use torches if they are going out after dark. Locals also told mid-day that some people consume alcohol on the road below the boundary wall where the leopard sits late at night, and the police should take action against them.
The main reason for the animal to come to the area is in search of prey - stray dogs often gather near the two garbage dumps in the area. According to the locals, in the past year, more than 10-15 stray dogs have been picked up by leopards from the area. In the year 2010, a pet dog was also picked up by a leopard.
Sunish Subramanian Kunju from PAWS-Mumbai said, "PAWS-Mumbai urges citizens to not provoke the animals. Children should also not be allowed to roam in such isolated areas. They should not attempt to scare the leopard away by making loud noises or bursting firecrackers. Residents should not try to go near it to click photographs or take pets for a stroll in such areas. Security guards should carry torches at night and try to be in groups of 2-3 and switch on all the lights. The vicinity should be garbage-free. If we do not follow these simple steps, the animal will be frightened and both it and humans will be in danger. Our volunteers have already started creating awareness in the area."
FD speak
Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane (Wildlife), KP Singh said, "We have already informed the SGNP authorities and our rescue team will also be patrolling the area. We would like to appeal to the residents staying in the area to not gather to spot the animal. People should maintain a safe distance from the animal and should not provoke or corner it as that can result in a conflict. Those staying in the area should also make sure that there is enough light surrounding their buildings. If they are venturing out late at night, they should carry a torch with them."
