Leopard goes on a joyride, shuts down Mercedes Benz factory in Chakan

The team located the leopard and secured the area

The staff of the Mercedes Benz India's production facility in Chakan were in for a shock to find a leopard prowling in their premises on Monday morning. The security staff immediately informed the forest department and the Wildlife SOS team operating out of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre was called in for reinforcements.

A four-member team from the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response unit led by the NGO's veterinary officers, Dr Nikhil Bangar and Dr Shubham Patil immediately reached the spot.

After following all safety protocols, the leopard was tranquilised from a safe distance

The team located the leopard and secured the area. After following all safety protocols, the leopard was tranquilised from a safe distance.

Later, the leopard was shifted into a transportation cage and handed over to the Chakan Forest Department for further care.

The security staff immediately informed the forest department and the Wildlife SOS team operating out of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre was called in for reinforcements

"The distressed feline was successfully rescued in a meticulously carried out four-hour rescue operation by Wildlife SOS and the Chakan Forest Department," a press release issued to the media by NGO Wildlife SOS said.

Dr Nikhil Bangar, Wildlife Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS, said, "The leopard was a male, approximately 2-3 years of age. We are grateful to the forest department that acted promptly and helped save the life of this leopard."

The leopard was shifted into a transportation cage and handed over to the Chakan Forest Department for further care

Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO and co-founder of Wildlife SOS, said, "Due to rapid habitat loss, leopards of Maharashtra are being forced to venture into human-dominated areas. Our team is trained to ensure that such situations are handled with the utmost caution, keeping in mind the safety of the leopard as well as humans."

"The leopard is currently under medical observation and will be released back into its natural habitat," Yogesh Mahajan, range forest officer, Chakan Forest Department, said.

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