Pune: Leopard Trapped in Fencing Wire Near Mulshi Rescued by Forest Department and RESQ

Pune, 14th December 2025: A leopard trapped in fencing wire near Mulshi was rescued on Sunday following a swift joint operation by the Pune Forest Department and the RESQ Charitable Trust, and was later shifted to the Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre at Bavdhan for medical care.

Forest officials received information about the trapped animal around 11 am. The alert was immediately shared with the RESQ team, which mobilised within minutes from its Bavdhan facility. A coordinated rescue effort was then launched at the site to prevent injury to the leopard and ensure public safety.

The animal was safely tranquilised by Dr Satvik Pathak, wildlife veterinarian with RESQ, after assessing the risks posed by the fencing wire and the surrounding terrain. The leopard was subsequently freed, secured in a cage and transported to the Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre, where it is undergoing detailed medical examination and treatment.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Mahadev Mohite, IFS, said the rescue was completed within about one-and-a-half hours from the time the information was received. He said both the Forest Department and RESQ teams are trained to respond quickly to wildlife emergencies and remain on standby for such situations.

Dr Pathak said the leopard had become tightly entangled in the wire, making the situation potentially dangerous. “Approaching the animal on foot could have triggered an aggressive response. Therefore, the leopard was darted from a vehicle to ensure the safety of both the animal and the rescue team,” he said, adding that the leopard has recovered from sedation and is currently stable.

RESQ Charitable Trust founder and president Neha Panchamiya said the role of the local community was crucial during the operation. She said villagers remained calm and cooperative, allowing the rescue teams to work without disruption. “Their responsible behaviour ensured that the rescue could be carried out smoothly and safely,” she said.

The Forest Department and RESQ Charitable Trust once again appealed to citizens to promptly report wildlife-related emergencies and avoid crowding or interfering at rescue sites, stating that timely information and public cooperation play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of wildlife.