Nagpur: Leopard sighted near Pardi outskirts raises alert  forest department launches search, urges public vigilance

A leopard was spotted near Bhandara Naka on the outskirts of Nagpur’s Pardi area, triggering forest‑department alert, night patrols and caution advisories for residents. (Times of India, 9 Dec 2025)

Nagpur|09 December 2025: A fresh leopard sighting near the Pardi area has stirred concern in Nagpur. On Monday afternoon, residents near Bhandara Naka  a largely deserted stretch with abandoned warehouses  captured video footage of a big cat crossing a road. The alert prompted immediate action from the forest department’s regional team along with Pardi police. Search operations continued until sunset, though the animal could not be traced. Night patrolling has since been intensified.

Assistant Forest Conservator Nagpur Regional Forest Department, Yash Kale, confirmed the search remains ongoing and urged citizens to stay alert but calm. He emphasized that in the absence of physical evidence such as pugmarks or scat, the department is relying on eyewitness reports and CCTV footage to track the animal.

This incident follows a similar scare less than a month ago in Bhandewadi, where a leopard was found inside a residential building  that animal was eventually captured safely.The repeated sightings suggest leopards might be venturing to the outskirts of Nagpur more frequently, possibly due to loss of habitat or search for food. Experts say empty plots, abandoned warehouses and dense patches on city edges provide shelter and hunting ground for leopards.

Local residents have been advised to avoid going out alone late at night, keep livestock secured, and immediately inform authorities on sighting any wild animals. The forest department has requested cooperation, urging people not to crowd or disturb the area, as it could hamper tracking efforts.

As urban expansion encroaches upon natural habitats, such encounters between humans and wildlife are becoming more frequent  and demand better awareness, timely intervention and coexistence measures.

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