2-yr-old leopard lands up in Nashik bungalow, rescued by forest officials

A two-year-old male leopard, which was found in a residential area in Nashik on Thursday morning, was rescued and will be released in its natural habitat.

A two-year-old male leopard, which was found in a residential area in Nashik on Thursday morning, was rescued and will be released in its natural habitat.

According to officials from the Nashik forest range, the leopard had entered the backyard of Janki bungalow in Ashwini Housing Society, Upnagar around 8.30am. A team from the local police and 15 forest officials rescued the animal after a call from the residents.

The leopard was found in the backyard of a bungalow in Nashik. (HT photo)

“We received a call around 9am and on reaching the spot found the leopard sitting behind the bungalow wall. Along with three other forest officers, we entered bungalow adjacent to the one the leopard was sitting behind and tactfully tranquilised him,” said Prashant Khairnar, range forest officer, Nashik forest range.

Post the tranquilisation, the leopard was taken on a stretcher and put in a cage at the Nashik forest range office, said Khairnar. “We will be releasing the leopard in its natural habitat by Thursday night or Friday morning 100kms away from Nashik,” he said.

Forest officers added that the leopard was healthy and active. “The reason why it was sitting behind the bungalow was because it was tired and found shade under which he was resting,” said Khairnar.