THANE: After three days surveillance around Rutu Enclave society failed to track down the leopard who was spotted on Sunday, wildlife activists manning the camera traps believe that the wild animal may have returned to the national park.Immediately after the leopard was captured on the CCTVs that were installed all around Rutu Enclave society, the forest department—with the help of wildlife NGO TRACK—set up five camera traps around the society. As there were rumours of similar sightings in the neighbouring Sagar society as well, that area, too, was put under surveillance.However, as none of these cameras captured the leopard over the past three days, these wildlife experts believe that the wild animal may have strayed away from the green zone and would have found its way back into the wild.Deputy conservator of forest (Thane territorial) Jitendra Ramgaokar said, “Since the night of the leopard sighting, we have placed camera traps systematically around these societies and we, along with the members of the NGO, have been at the spot monitoring the situation carefully. However, the leopard has not shown up in any of these areas so far.”“There is a large vacant green area near the place. So, we believe that the leopard may have strayed there thinking it was a part of the forest. However, in addition to not spotting it on our camera traps, we also heard about a local sighting a leopard closer to the forest area. This could mean that the leopard may have already found its way back home,” said Nitesh Pancholi, a member of TRACK.However, forest officials and wildlife rescuers have urged citizens living in the vicinity to continue taking precautionary measures.“While we have not spotted the leopard so far, we will continue the camera trapping procedure. Meanwhile, we urge citizens to continue taking the necessary precautions to avoid any man-animal conflict. We have also organised an awareness drive for residents at 8pm on Wednesday,” said Ramgaokar.

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