India, Nov. 12 -- With repeated leopard- attacks and sightings triggering widespread fear in the rural areas of Pune district, especially Shirur and Ambegaon talukas, district collector Jitendra Dudi on Tuesday, November 11, called a review meeting with senior forest officials including Prashant Khade, deputy conservator of forests, Junnar forest department; and Mahadev Mohite, deputy conservator of forests, Pune forest division wherein he issued a set of directives aimed at tightening field response, expanding rescue capacity, and increasing public awareness in high-risk zones.

During the meeting, forest officials informed that since October 12, at least 17 leopards have been captured from Ambegaon and Shirur talukas - all of which are ...