Watch: Leopard who escaped from enclosure at Pune zoo spotted on CCTV camera

Additional Municipal Commissioner Vikas Dhakane confirmed that the leopard is within the zoo premises. “The rescue operation is on and best of the equipment and manpower has been deputed for the purpose. However, the animal is changing places regularly. The zoo has been cordoned off with staff deputed on all sides of the zoo,” said Dhakane.

“The leopard has been in captivity for a long time. The operation is being conducted with all possible precautions and safety measures. A total of around 200 people from various agencies are part of the effort,” Dhakne added.

#Pune | A male leopard escaped from its enclosure at the rescue and rehabilitation centre at Pune’s Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in the wee hours of Monday.

Read more: https://t.co/0xg6BC9bnC pic.twitter.com/i0lYOYsHPQ

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) March 5, 2024

A fire brigade officer said, “The rescue operation continues as of 8 am. The last sighting of the leopard was around 4.30 am in a CCTV camera, in a particular section of the zoo. The fire brigades from Pune, PCMC and PMRDA have deployed various equipment including skylift ladders, rescue vans and other things. Early in the morning a drone has also been deployed by rescuers.”

The male leopard was housed in the Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WARRC) located within the zoo. It was brought from Hampi in Karnataka about three months ago in an animal exchange programme.

A staffer noticed that the leopard was missing from its enclosure at about 9 am on Monday during the regular rounds.

Dhakane added that there is little chance of the leopard straying out as having been born in a zoo, he would not leave that environment.