Pune: A leopard seen crossing the runway near Pune airport earlier this week triggered alarm online, but conservation biologist Dr. Sanjay Gubbi says such sightings are no longer rare—and should not be feared.
“The outskirts of Pune fall within the Sahyadri landscape, a region that naturally supports leopards and other large mammals. Given this, the sighting near Pune Airport is not particularly surprising,” said Dr. Gubbi, a leading wildlife ecologist and leopard researcher. “Leopards in India are known to be highly adaptable and have been expanding their range into both rural and peri-urban areas. This sighting, therefore, appears consistent with established leopard behavior rather than being an anomaly.”
Is It Dispersal—or a Resident Leopard?
The leopard was captured on CCTV near Lohegaon, prompting speculation about whether it had strayed from the wild. According to Gubbi, it’s too early to label the movement as “dispersal.”
“Dispersal typically refers to sub-adult leopards moving away from their natal home ranges to establish independent territories,” he explained. “While this is a common and natural behavior among leopards, the recent sighting near Pune Airport cannot be definitively classified as dispersal without further information. It could simply be a case of a resident individual exploring the edges of its range or temporarily passing through.”
He adds that more data—like the animal’s age, movement patterns, and presence of other leopards in the region—would be needed to draw a conclusion.
No Accident: Leopards Move Strategically
Dr. Gubbi, who has tracked leopards for over two decades, says the movement seen in this case is likely deliberate.
“The leopard sighted near Pune Airport seems to be an adult male, which suggests it may be a resident individual rather than one merely passing through,” he said. “In many cases, leopards are present in an area long before they are actually seen—they are highly elusive and adept at avoiding human detection.”
Leopards, he added, are cautious and strategic. “Their movements are typically strategic, shaped by the availability of cover, prey, and safe passage. They assess risk through a combination of environmental cues, habituation, and past experiences, allowing them to navigate human-dominated landscapes with remarkable caution and stealth.”
Masters of Urban Camouflage
So how are leopards surviving on city edges?
“Leopards are remarkably adaptable and have shown an impressive ability to survive in urban and semi-urban environments,” said Gubbi. “They do so by preying on smaller wild species such as black-naped hares, porcupines, and bandicoots, as well as occasionally targeting domestic livestock, which unfortunately can lead to human-wildlife conflict.”
He recalls tracking one in Bengaluru: “I had collared a young male leopard that inhabited a small hillock. Using a handheld antenna, I would often track him and find myself within just a few meters of the animal, yet he remained completely hidden from sight.”
That stealth, however, comes at a cost. “Our research has shown that leopards in such landscapes face a higher incidence of human-induced mortality. Common threats include snares—often set for wild pigs or other prey species—open wells, and vehicular collisions.”
One of his studies found a striking pattern: “The incidence of leopard snaring increased sharply once the human population density exceeded approximately 225 people per square kilometer.”
Are They Coexisting or Just Surviving?
“Our camera trap studies around Bengaluru reveal that approximately 85 leopards inhabit the city’s outskirts, including individuals within Bannerghatta National Park,” said Gubbi. “These leopards exhibit classic signs of adaptation—remaining largely nocturnal, successfully using cover, and minimizing human interaction.”
But he draws an important distinction. “Whether this constitutes true coexistence is debatable. While leopards have evolved to be elusive and adaptable, it is ultimately human tolerance that determines the success of coexistence.”
“Some communities demonstrate remarkable tolerance,” he said, “while others, including economically privileged and highly educated groups, often express low acceptance of large carnivores in their vicinity.”
What the Public Should—and Shouldn’t—Do
Gubbi emphasizes that fear isn’t the right response.
“Leopard sightings in the vicinity of human settlements should not be a cause for panic,” he said. “These animals are typically shy and avoid human interaction whenever possible. In most cases, they are simply passing through or utilizing green spaces as part of their natural movement.”
Instead, he recommends communities adopt basic precautions. “By taking basic measures—such as securing livestock at night, avoiding walking alone in poorly lit areas after dark, and educating children about wildlife—communities can significantly reduce the risk of conflict.”
Can Planners Help Wildlife Survive Urban India?
Dr. Gubbi believes there’s a role for city planners and governments to play.
“One key step is to incorporate wildlife-friendly infrastructure—such as overpasses, underpasses, and safe corridors—at the planning and construction stages of public projects like highways and urban developments,” he said.
He also called for greater investment in outreach: “Educating communities about leopard behaviour, and risk reduction can greatly reduce fear and misunderstanding.”
Don’t Sensationalise, He Warns the Media
“Media coverage often tends to exaggerate such events, turning a rare or isolated sighting into a sensational headline,” Gubbi said. “This sensationalism can contribute to misconceptions about leopards, making them appear more dangerous or prevalent than they truly are.”
“The rise of CCTV surveillance and the widespread use of social media have compounded this issue. More leopards are being captured on camera, which leads to an increase in reported sightings. However, this does not necessarily indicate a higher frequency of conflict.”
The Leopard Isn’t the Problem—We Might Be
“As urbanization continues to expand, it’s likely that we will see more leopard sightings in peri-urban and even urban areas,” he said. “The key factor will be how society responds to the presence of large carnivores, particularly those that may be conflict-prone.”
“With awareness, proper precautions, and conflict mitigation strategies, such sightings could become a sign of healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.”
But his final takeaway is a sobering one.
“Working with leopards has highlighted the urgent need to address human-wildlife conflict. Without meaningful solutions to this issue, the future of wildlife conservation in India looks increasingly uncertain.”
“With urbanization, changing economic priorities, and increasing human populations, the space and respect for wildlife are shrinking,” he added. “This shift presents a major challenge for conservationists and requires a reevaluation of how we approach coexistence with our natural world.”
