As summer begins, leopards have now turned their attention to the city. For the last two days, leopards have been sighted in Makhamalabad Shivar of the city, locals allege. A leopard was seen roaming in front of a resident, Omkar Pingle's house, in Makhamalabad Shivara in the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.
This has stirred panic in the area, with residents demanding that the Forest Department immediately rescue the big cats.
With the onset of summer, the temperature has crossed 40°C. Due to the heat, wildlife is rushing to the city to quench their thirst. Due to human encroachment on the forests, wild animals have fewer opportunities to seek food and water in their natural habitat, forcing them to come to human settlements. As Nashik has vast agricultural areas, it becomes easier for leopards to hide in the fields. Leopards hide in sugarcane fields during the day, while at night they come out to hunt dogs, goats, sheep, and other small animals.
The forest department has set up cages at many places to rescue leopards. Once trapped, the animals are brought to the rescue centre in Mhasrul, from where they are released into the forest on the orders of senior officials.
