Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Pune Villagers Wear Spiked Collars Amidst Rising Leopard Attacks
Imagine there are big cats called leopards living near a village.
Sometimes, these leopards get too close and attack people, which is very scary and dangerous.
Recently, three people have been hurt badly by leopards in this area.
The people in one village are so worried that they've started wearing special necklaces with sharp spikes and little bells on them.
They think that if a leopard tries to bite their neck, the spikes will protect them, and the bells will make noise to scare the leopard away.
This idea is a bit like how people in other countries protect their dogs from wild animals.
The villagers are hoping this unusual defense will keep them safe while the government tries to find other ways to stop the leopards from coming so close.
Villagers in Pune's Shirur tehsil are wearing spiked collars to protect themselves from fatal leopard attacks.
The village of Pimparkhed is experiencing increased leopard-human conflicts, with three fatal incidents in the last 30 days.
The spiked collars are designed to deter leopards, which typically attack the neck, and also feature bells to scare the animals.
Villagers have resorted to this measure after other incidents and based on observations of leopard behavior.
In response to the crisis, the government has promised enhanced surveillance and trapping measures, and one leopard has been shot dead while another trapped.
- Who
- Residents of Pimparkhed village in Shirur tehsil, Pune District, India
- What
- Villagers are wearing spiked collars as a defense against fatal leopard attacks due to escalating human-leopard conflicts.
- When
- In the last 30 days, with three fatal incidents occurring.
- Where
- Pimparkhed village, Shirur tehsil, Pune District, India
- Why
- To protect themselves from leopards, which are increasingly coming into conflict with humans due to habitat and prey availability.
Villager's Perspective
Forest Department's View
Effectiveness of Spiked Collars
Villager's Perspective
Villagers are using spiked collars with bells as a desperate measure to protect their necks from leopard attacks, believing the spikes will deter or injure the leopard, and the bells will scare it away.
Forest Department's View
A Forest Department official suggests the spiked collar might work by deterring the leopard after an initial failed strike, as the leopard may then realize the 'real stature' of the person and back off. They also acknowledge the potential to injure the leopard.
Urgency of Government Action
Villager's Perspective
Villagers have staged protests and demanded immediate actions such as shoot-at-sight orders, relocation, and sterilization of leopards due to recent fatal attacks.
Forest Department's View
The Forest Minister has announced funds for cages, traps, and technology-based measures, and a leopard was shot dead. The Deputy Chief Minister visited grieving families.
- Location
- Shirur tehsil, Pimparkhed village, Pune District, India
- Recent Incidents
- Three fatal leopard attacks in the last 30 days
- Protective Measure
- Villagers wearing spiked collars with bells around their necks
- Reason for Attacks
- Leopards are attracted by water availability, livestock, and sugarcane crops in the area, leading to increased human-leopard conflict.
- Government Response
- Announcement of funds for 1,200 cages/traps, AI surveillance; one leopard shot, another trapped.