Pune Airport’s Leopard: Authorities Install Cages Disguised as Pipes to Capture the Intelligent Big Cat
Pune, 30 August 2025: Forest officials have installed two specially designed cages disguised as stormwater pipes at Pune airport after repeated leopard sightings since April. The animal has so far avoided conventional traps, prompting authorities to rethink their strategy.
Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Territorial), Pune, explained that the leopard seems intelligent and cautious. “It may have been trapped earlier and remembers the experience. Since it frequently uses stormwater drains to move around, we redesigned the cages to look like those pipes, hoping it will be lured inside,” he said.
The leopard was first seen near the airside of the Indian Air Force (IAF) base adjoining the airport on April 28, with several sightings reported since. The last confirmed sighting was on 13 August. Teams from the forest department and RESQ Charitable Trust are closely monitoring the area. Cameras connected to mobile alerts will notify authorities if the animal comes near the traps, allowing bait to be placed immediately.
Neha Panchamiya, founder and president of RESQ Charitable Trust, said that the leopard may have changed its movement patterns after authorities blocked some of its usual hiding spots. “The animal seems to have realised that several of its safe tunnels are no longer accessible, so it is avoiding the area. Grass cutting is underway to reduce cover, and we have advised strengthening sections of the boundary wall where it may have been slipping through,” she said.
The IAF, which manages the 3,500-acre station next to the airport, assured that precautionary measures are in place. “We share our boundary with Lohegaon and Wagholi. A 20-foot-high wall with barbed wire secures the premises, and our personnel patrol regularly. Armed guards are also deployed at the gates,” said an IAF officer.
