Ten Goa to Gujarat: The Great Leopard Relocation Operation

Ten leopards captured from conflict zones in Maharashtra's Junnar forest division have been relocated to the Vantara shelter in Gujarat. This initiative aims to address human-leopard conflicts, which resulted in human fatalities and injuries. Vantara, established by Anant Ambani, will provide extensive care for the rescued animals.

In a significant move to address rising man-animal conflicts, ten leopards captured from the Junnar forest division in Maharashtra's Pune district have been relocated to a shelter in Gujarat, officials announced on Thursday.

According to Amol Satpute, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Junnar), the Central Zoo Authority in New Delhi approved the transfer of four female and six male leopards from the Manikdoh shelter home to 'Vantara', an animal shelter and rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. 'Vantara' spans over 3,000 acres and was founded by Anant Ambani of Reliance Industries Limited and Reliance Foundation, housing more than 2,000 rescued animals.

The relocation followed a spate of leopard attacks that left three people dead and two seriously injured, predominantly in Pimpri Pendhar, Kalwadi, and Pimpalwandi areas between March and May. Due to overcrowding at the Manikdoh facility, the big cats were transported in specially arranged air-conditioned ambulances accompanied by a 23-member management team and veterinary experts. The Pune district administration recently labeled 233 villages as high-risk zones, prompting this proactive measure to ensure human and animal safety.

(With inputs from agencies.)