Cognizant Issues Safety Advisory to Pune Staff After Reports of Leopard Movement
Cognizant Issues Safety Advisory to Pune Staff After Reports of Leopard Movement
Rising instances of leopard activity around Pune have prompted IT services major Cognizant to issue a safety advisory for its employees working in the city. The company has urged staff members to remain vigilant while commuting and spending time on campus, stressing that the guidelines are meant purely as a precautionary step to safeguard employees.
Cognizant stated that the advisory was released after receiving inputs from local administration and forest department officials, who have observed an increase in leopard-related incidents in and around Pune. While there have been no confirmed sightings within the Hinjewadi area so far, the company clarified that the alert is preventive and aimed at minimizing any potential risk.
According to the advisory, employees have been asked to avoid stepping out alone late at night or before sunrise. They are encouraged to rely on office-arranged transport, carpooling, or shared cab services instead of walking, especially during low-traffic hours. Staff have also been cautioned against using shortcuts that pass through bushes, forest-adjacent areas, or isolated locations.
The company has instructed employees to immediately inform the security team if they notice any unusual or suspicious animal movement. All directions issued by security personnel are to be followed strictly. In the event of a leopard sighting, employees have been advised not to panic or run, as sudden movements could provoke the animal. Remaining calm has been emphasized as the safest course of action.
As an added precaution, Cognizant has advised employees to avoid visiting the Phase-2 campus during late evening hours, at night, and in the early morning until further notice.
The advisory comes shortly after a major wildlife rescue operation at Pune Airport. An adult leopard that had reportedly been moving within the airport premises for over nine months was successfully tranquilised and rescued last week. The animal’s presence was first confirmed on April 28 and it was last spotted again on November 19.
On December 4, the leopard entered the airport’s underground tunnel network, prompting authorities to seal exits and install additional surveillance cameras. A team of around 30 personnel coordinated efforts to guide the animal into an 80-foot-long tunnel, where a wildlife veterinarian tranquilised it under challenging conditions.
The leopard has since recovered and is currently under observation at the Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan, Pune. Officials confirmed that no human injuries occurred during the operation and that airport activities continued without any disruption.
