Leopard escapes from Pune zoo, spotted on CCTV camera | Watch

A male leopard escaped from the rescue and rehabilitation centre at Pune's Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park on Monday. The leopard named Sachin was caught on CCTV camera on Tuesday but hasn't been sighted since.

The Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WARRC) and Zoo staff, teams of the Pune Fire Brigade and the State Forest Department are conducting rescue operations. A drone has also been deployed to trace the leopard, officials said.

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

"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," Dhakane further added.

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

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