Leopard Tension: Pune District's Battle Against Big Cat Attacks

Following the tragic death of a 13-year-old boy in a leopard attack, Pune district authorities have ordered the capture and potential elimination of the responsible animal. A team of sharpshooters is deployed, while locals continue to protest against the recurring human-leopard conflicts affecting the area.

Enraged locals have set a forest department vehicle on fire after a 13-year-old boy was killed in a leopard attack in Pune's Pimparkhed village. The authorities have ordered immediate action to capture and possibly eliminate the responsible leopard, igniting debate over human-animal conflicts.

Forest officials have deployed a team of five sharpshooters using tranquilizers and traditional weapons. Intense protests, including a road blockade on the Pune-Nashik Highway, have erupted in response to the frequent leopard attacks, as the district's residents demand effective measures to address this growing concern.

DNA matching processes are underway to identify the leopards responsible for recent fatal attacks. Abundant water, rising human populations, and increased domestic animals in the region have contributed to making these farmlands a habitat for leopards, further intensifying the conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)