Leopard-Sighting Calls Flood Forest Helpline As Pune Residents On Edge
A spate of leopard reports from across Pune has swamped the forest helpline 1926. Officials say most are false alarms or fake images, yet every alert must be checked — straining rescue teams.
Pune | December 3, 2025: Leopard sightings reported from different parts of Pune have pushed the city’s wildlife helpline 1926 into overdrive. Calls that once came a few times a week have now surged to nearly forty a day. While officials confirm a few recent sightings near Aundh, Bavdhan and the airport stretch, they say most reports are triggered by misidentified animals or edited videos circulating online.
Rescue teams must still respond to each call, which has strained their workload. Officers say they often reach locations only to discover that the “leopard” was a dog, a cat or a shadow caught at an odd angle. Despite this, they emphasise that every alert must be treated seriously until verified.
The department has urged citizens not to panic or spread unverified photos and videos, as false alarms create unnecessary fear and divert resources away from genuine emergencies. Residents living close to hill ranges, green corridors and fringe forest areas have been advised to stay cautious, especially during early morning and evening hours when wildlife movement is more likely.
Officials also asked citizens to avoid crowding rescue sites, as large gatherings disrupt monitoring and create noise that drives the animal deeper into residential areas. Additional patrols and camera surveillance are being planned in identified movement corridors to track wildlife activity more efficiently.
Even with rising calls, the forest department maintains that Pune’s leopard population is not increasing inside city limits. The spike, they say, is mostly due to heightened public sensitivity and rapid spread of unverified videos. They have appealed for responsible use of the helpline so that real emergencies can be prioritised.
Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter
Also Read- Pune
