Leopard Relocation Plan: Maharashtra Forest Dept Signs Pact With Vantara To Shift 50 Leopards From Junnar
Leopard Relocation Plan: Maharashtra Forest Dept Signs Pact With Vantara To Shift 50 Leopards From Junnar
Pune, March 7, 2026: The Maharashtra Forest Department has entered into an agreement with the wildlife facility Vantara to relocate 50 leopards from the state as part of efforts to address increasing human–wildlife conflicts in the Junnar region. The development was announced by Maharashtra forest minister Ganesh Naik through a social media update on Thursday.
According to forest officials, the leopards currently housed at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar, Pune district, will be transferred to the Vantara wildlife facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
The relocation plan was initially proposed in November 2025 after a rise in incidents involving encounters between residents and leopards in the Junnar area. Following the announcement, a team from Vantara visited the rescue centre to evaluate the conditions and determine whether the transfer of animals would be feasible.
After the inspection, a detailed proposal was submitted to the Central Zoo Authority for approval. Once the required permissions were granted, the forest department formalised the agreement with Vantara.
Officials said the collaboration will not only involve relocating the animals but will also include training programmes, technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives for forest department staff.
In the first phase of the operation, around 20 leopards have been shortlisted for relocation. Smita Rajhans, Assistant Conservator of Forest in the Junnar division, said the initial batch of animals is expected to be transported to the Jamnagar facility within the next week.
Authorities view the relocation as a step toward easing pressure on the rescue centre and improving management of the growing leopard population in the region. Additional transfers are likely to be considered after reviewing the outcome of the first phase.
