Thane (Maharashtra)

A leopard that had been rescued from a residential area and released back into the wild late last year was found dead in a forest in Maharashtra’s Thane district, forest officials said on Thursday.

The big cat was rescued from Bhayander on December 19, 2025, after straying into a human settlement. To track its movement and adaptation, the forest department fitted it with a satellite-linked collar before releasing it into the Nagla area of the Yeoor forest range on December 25.

Officials said the leopard showed healthy behaviour in the days following its release. Between December 25 and 30, it was frequently spotted moving through the Sasunavghar sector, and on December 31, it was seen hunting a dog near a cave, an indication that it was successfully adjusting to its natural habitat. Camera traps also captured images of the animal in good health along the Nagla trail on January 5.

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However, on February 2, the leopard was found dead in the Nagla reserve forest. Preliminary observations revealed no missing body parts, ruling out immediate signs of poaching, officials said.

The carcass has been sent for post-mortem examination, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death, the forest department added.