Sanjay Gandhi National Park sees rise in leopards

MUMBAI: Leopards in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park here recorded an increase with its number going up to 24 from 21, as per the latest census.

"The park located in suburban Mumbai has now 24 leopards, 363 deers, 24 sambhars, 10 barking deers and 24 wild boars," Director of the park, P N Munde said here on Friday.

The number of leopards has gone up by three since last year. "There can be an error of two to three per cent. We will not say that the number of animals has increased. But, it has established and it is a good sign", he said.

"Statistically, the figures are not significant. This year we found four leopard cubs. Last year too, there were three to four cubs, but they died," he said.

Munde also said that in the last six months, there have been no reports about leopard attacks in residential localities situated around the park.