Pune News: Pune airport experienced two sightings of a leopard on Monday, first at 7 AM and again at 8 PM. In a video shared by a local citizens' group, the leopard was seen in the airport's airside, a restricted area crucial for aircraft operations, including landings and take-offs. Fortunately, flight operations were not disrupted during these incidents.

Another video, posted on X by a passenger around 9 PM, showed the leopard near an aircraft. Forest department officials confirmed they were monitoring the situation. Suresh Varak, range forest officer for the Pune Forest Division, stated that the leopard was first spotted in the morning and again in the evening, approximately 500 metres from the runway and 700-800 metres from the new terminal. The team is actively searching for the animal on the airside and has set up camera traps, hoping to capture it by Tuesday.

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Interestingly, the leopard was spotted on the same day as a meeting of the Pune airport advisory committee, which discussed the presence of wild animals in the area. Officials from the Indian Air Force (IAF), which co-manages the airport, urged action during the meeting. MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol mentioned he would speak to the airport director and other authorities for further details.

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Residents living near the airport have been alerted to lock their doors and remain cautious. The Times Of India report cited one local from a housing society in Vimannagar as stating that, the leopard had been seen inside the Air Force Station a few days prior. The initial video was recorded from within the Air Force Station campus, capturing the leopard leaping over the boundary wall.

A retired IAF officer noted that the Air Force school within the campus has been given a holiday on Tuesday, although the specific reason was not disclosed.


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