The report prepared by Biologist and Principal Researcher Vidya Athreya, along with Forest department officials, as a part of the ‘Mumbaikars for SGNP’ was finally made public on Thursday. The report has brought some shocking facts to the fore, one of which was the main reason behind increasing number of leopard attacks in Aarey Colony could be attributed to the presence of 700 stray dogs on its premises. In addition, big cat images captured by setting camera traps revealed there were 21 leopards in Borivli national park and Aarey Colony.

Experts say most of the attacks that took place in Aarey were because of human error, and if people minimise dumping of garbage, then it would be possible to avert such incidents. File pic