Hunted Mumbai colony remains on alert

Armed with a megaphone, electric torches, mosquito repellent and water bottles, four forest officers are on patrol at Mumbai’s Aarey Milk Colony, waiting to catch the leopard which is suspected to have attacked five people and killed one. Officials, on vigil since last Saturday, are on the wait for the big cat — with goats and cages.

The attacks, which started in March, have spread panic among residents in this wooded area south of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which has around 35 free-roaming leopards. A 5-km stretch has been cordoned off, with restrictions on outdoor shoots in the nearby Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari area — Film City.

Tribals and slum-dwellers living near Aarey have been asked to watch out for leopards after dark. As many as 15 forest officers have been working in three shifts, waiting near two trap cages installed 2.5km from each other, along the hilly path between the gate at Bapu Gram Naka and the Aarey helipad. Each have a goat tied inside. They are being fed regularly.

“This zone will remain sealed till August 7. We are aware of the big cat’s movements and know it won’t attack adults. However, children are vulnerable as they are at the leopard’s eye level,” said Pradeep Mali from Thane forest range and a team member.

After examining trap images and comparing them to the leopard’s spots, officials realised a single cat was behind all the attacks. The animal has probably inspected the traps, but refuses to take the bait. “Our reports suggest that the leopard has visited the spot, moved around the cage, but did not attack the goat. We will continue patrolling the area till the animal is trapped,” said Santosh Kank, range forest officer, Mumbai.

The leopard has been active around the area’s eight tribal settlements, each of which houses close to 200 people. The forest officials have given the villagers and Film City staff instructions on how to avoid an encounter with a leopard. “We set out daily, in groups of four, to the cordoned-off areas where attacks have taken place. Using a megaphone, we inform the tribals to ensure that their children are not outside during the evening,” said Santosh Bhagne, an officer who led the rescue team.

AS MANY AS 15 FOREST OFFICERS ARE WORKING IN SHIFTS, WAITING NEAR TWO TRAP CAGES. EACH HAS A GOAT TIED INSIDE