After 20 Days of Terror, Man-Eating Leopard Shot Dead in Shirur ,Two More Caught in Ongoing Operation

Forest officials in Pune’s Shirur tehsil shot dead a man-eating leopard responsible for three deaths. The predator was scientifically identified; two more leopards have since been captured.

Pune | 06 November 2025: The man-eating leopard that had been spreading fear across Shirur tehsil and nearby villages for the past 20 days was finally shot dead by a special forest department team late on November 4 around 10:30 p.m. The leopard had claimed three lives in separate attacks, leaving the local population terrified and enraged.

Following rising public anger, Pune Forest Conservator Ashish Thakare sought immediate permission from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Nagpur to capture or eliminate the leopard. Acting on the approval, forest officials tracked the animal near Pimperkhed village, roughly 400 to 500 meters from the settlement. Attempts to tranquilize it failed when the agitated leopard turned aggressive and charged toward the team, forcing the sharp shooter to fire, killing it instantly.

Preliminary assessment confirmed that the dead leopard was a male, approximately 5 to 6 years old. Further verification through pugmark comparison and DNA analysis confirmed that this was indeed the same leopard involved in all three fatal attacks. To assure villagers, the carcass was first shown to local residents before being sent to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre for post-mortem examination and further investigation.

Meanwhile, forest officials continued their extensive operation across the area. In the last two days, two more leopards have been successfully trapped one of them a female, caught near Pimperkhed village. The department has installed nearly 30 cages throughout Shirur and surrounding villages to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents.

After weeks of fear and loss, the elimination of the man-eater has brought relief to the community, though vigilance remains high as teams continue monitoring the area for any remaining wild activity.

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