Pune: A rare and shocking incident unfolded on Wednesday (December 18) evening in Manjarwadi village, Junnar taluka, when a leopard entered a house while searching for prey. Two sisters, Riddhi (20) and Siddhi (17), displayed remarkable courage and managed to drive the wild animal out of their home, averting a potential tragedy.
The Khandagale family resides near a sprawling sugarcane field in Manjarwadi, a known habitat for leopards. On the evening of the incident, Khandu Rakhma Khandagale, the family’s patriarch, was away in Narayangaon for work. His wife, Nayana, was busy feeding cattle in the shed near their house.
Meanwhile, their elder daughter Siddhi was preparing dinner, and the younger daughter Riddhi was engrossed in her studies. The house’s main door was left open, unwittingly inviting danger.
At approximately 7 PM, a leopard entered the house through the open door. Riddhi was the first to notice the predator and was momentarily frozen with fear as she locked eyes with the wild animal. Summoning her wits, Riddhi called out to Siddhi, who rushed to the outer room. Together, the sisters raised an alarm, shouting loudly to scare the leopard. Their efforts succeeded, and the animal fled the house.
The incident has drawn widespread admiration for the sisters’ bravery and quick thinking. Local authorities were immediately informed. Mauli Khandagale, a director of the Agricultural Market Committee, contacted forest officials, urging them to take prompt action.
Under the supervision of Deputy Conservator of Forests Amol Satpute and Forest Range Officer Pradeep Chavan, Forest Guard Dnyaneshwar Pawar installed a trap near the Khandagale residence on Thursday morning. A goat was placed in the trap to lure the leopard. Another trap was set up in Devachizali Mal, near Narayangaon, to protect nearby residents.
Speaking about the incident, Mauli Khandagale said, “Leopards venturing into human habitats pose a grave danger. Farmers and villagers should remain vigilant and consider using the forest department's solar fencing scheme to prevent such occurrences.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasing interaction between humans and wildlife, particularly in regions where leopards are commonly sighted. The bravery displayed by the two sisters has not only saved their lives but also highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures in such areas.