After boy's death, Maharashtra to tackle rising leopard attacks
After a tragic leopard attack in Pune killed a 13-year-old boy—the fifth such death in the district in 2025—the Maharashtra government is stepping up efforts to keep people safe.
Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has called for an emergency meeting with local officials and experts to figure out better ways to handle these rising human-animal conflicts.
₹11 crore allocated to prevent future attacks
The state is rolling out 200 trap cages (with plans for 1,000 more), installing solar-powered electric fences, and using AI tech to track leopards.
Surveillance has been ramped up, with sharpshooter teams on standby if needed.
There's also talk of sterilizing leopards and improving patrols, all as part of a ₹11 crore push to prevent future attacks.
Leopard encounters on the rise in Maharashtra
Pune district has become a hotspot for leopard encounters—almost 100 people have died in similar attacks across Maharashtra over five years, making leopards the second biggest wildlife threat in the state.
The recent incidents have led to protests and frustration among locals, highlighting just how urgent the situation has become.