When wildlife gets too close to areas with significant human presence, it can be dangerous for everyone involved.
What is going on?
According to The Times of India, a leopard has been spotted repeatedly near an airport in Pune, a city in western India, during 2025. The animal proved to be able to evade capture.
After a sighting in December, officials said they believe the leopard felt comfortable enough to be in the area again because a local airline was experiencing staff shortages and flight cancellations, greatly reducing flight activity at the airport.
“The airport is part of the territory of this fully grown male leopard, and he uses the numerous rainwater drains to get in and out of the airport area,” said one official, according to The Times of India.
“For some time, we come to the airport, watch, and skins before they move forward and has been continuing the process.”
Why is it concerning the presence of the leopard?
It is alarming that a large wild animal like a leopard would take such a risk to frequent a place with so many humans. But when this happens, it is usually because the animal is looking for food, shelter, or other resources.
Unfortunately, industry and human intervention are destroying the environment and wildlife habitats.
A warming planet is also forcing many animals to change their behavior and move outside their normal ranges to survive. This is throwing off the ecological balance and threatening biodiversity.
More wild animals entering residential areas are also dangerous for both animals and people. Potential encounters can lead to the animal being injured or killed, even if it was not the antagonist.
What can be done about the leopard?
Officials have placed 15 trap cameras and three trap cages around the airport grounds to try to capture the leopard and relocate it back into the wild.
“Our teams have been posted at the airport,” said Mahadev Mohite, deputy conservator of forests, according to The Times of India.
“We have a better chance of catching the big cat now as it seems relaxed due to less noise and activities. We hope to have a breakthrough in the next two or three days.”
Meanwhile, reducing the production of pollution that warms the planet is essential to reduce the rate of rising global temperatures, which is partly responsible for habitat destruction and resource scarcity.
Ironically, the leopard was frequenting an airport, a site with a significant negative environmental impact. Exploring low-impact travel options, such as trains or buses, can reduce reliance on short-haul flights that produce high levels of carbon pollution.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.