Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) has launched its first-ever leopard safari, offering visitors a unique opportunity to observe these elusive big cats in a controlled environment. Maharashtra’s IT and Cultural Affairs Minister, Ashish Shelar, inaugurated the safari, who also adopted two lion cubs, Bharat and Bharati, for a year as part of a conservation effort. The cubs were brought from Gujarat on January 26.
Already home to tiger and lion safaris, SGNP’s latest attraction is expected to boost awareness about Mumbai’s leopard population, which frequently makes headlines due to sightings in areas like Aarey Colony and other suburban pockets. The safari, developed at an estimated cost of INR 5 crores, is set in a 30-hectare enclosure designed to resemble the leopards' natural habitat, ensuring both visitor safety and animal welfare.
SGNP currently houses 17 leopards, and this number is expected to grow. The safari will allow visitors to see these big cats engaging in natural behaviours—climbing trees, basking in the sun, or playfully chasing each other. It will also serve as an educational platform, shedding light on leopard conservation, their role in the ecosystem, and the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in an increasingly urbanised landscape.
With this new initiative, SGNP aims to reduce fear and misconceptions about leopards by giving people a chance to observe them safely while promoting conservation awareness.