Karad: Injured Leopard Found In Koynanagar Settlement, Three-Hour Rescue Delay Raises Questions |PHOTOS

In a busy residential area of Koynanagar, a leopard was found injured near a stream close to a house behind the post office. The leopard, estimated to be between one-and-a-half to two years old, had an eye injury. The incident, reported to the Forest Department and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve authorities around 12.30 pm on Sunday, led to a three-hour delay before a rescue team arrived, causing concern among residents.

Despite the presence of onlookers, many residents felt there were insufficient trained personnel or resources locally to handle the situation. The leopard was eventually captured and sent to a treatment center for further care.

The delay in rescue efforts has raised questions about the department's emergency response system and the preparedness of local authorities to handle wildlife emergencies in the area. Residents have expressed disappointment with the reliance on teams from outside the area and have called for a more effective local response system.

This incident, along with earlier reports of leopard cubs found in nearby residential areas, has heightened concerns about the increasing movement of leopards near human settlements in Koynanagar. The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve's presence in the region has further emphasized the need for a trained rescue team and necessary equipment available locally around the clock.