Residents of a slum settlement located next to the Pune-Nashik highway in the town of Chakan, Maharashtra woke up on Tuesday morning with the news of a leopard lurking in their neighbourhood. This created a frenzy in the area.

Having spotted the big cat sitting in a narrow passage, the concerned locals immediately informed the Forest Department whose officials rushed to the spot at 6 a.m. along with the Wildlife SOS rescue team operating out of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar equipped with safety nets, a trap cage and protective gear.

Swinging into action the Forest Department staff and the police controlled the crowd while the Wildlife SOS veterinary doctor immobilised the leopard. The whole operation took more than two hours.

Sharing details, Mahendra Dhore, Project Manager, Wildlife SOS said: “The leopard was sitting inside a narrow passageway so the panicked residents locked themselves indoors. After getting a closer look, we confirmed that it was a male leopard, estimated to be 6 years old. The leopard is under temporary observation.”

As per Amol Satpute, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Junnar Division the leopard was probably hit by a vehicle and was trying to find a spot to rest.