Leopard Rescued From Mercedes-Benz Chakan Plant After Massive 48-Hour Operation In Pune

A fully grown leopard trapped inside the Mercedes-Benz manufacturing facility in Chakan was safely rescued after an intensive multi-agency operation that lasted nearly 48 hours, officials confirmed on Monday.

Pune | May 12, 2026 | A tense rescue operation at the Mercedes-Benz Group manufacturing plant in Chakan near Pune finally concluded after forest officials safely captured a leopard that had entered the industrial premises, triggering panic among employees and temporary suspension of production activities.

According to officials from the Junnar Forest Division, CCTV cameras first captured the leopard moving inside the company premises during the early hours of May 9. The animal is believed to have wandered into the industrial zone from nearby sugarcane fields and fragmented forest patches surrounding the Chakan MIDC area.

Following the sighting, forest authorities launched a large-scale rescue mission with support from wildlife rescue organisations including RESQ Charitable Trust and Wildlife SOS. Several trap cages were installed across the plant premises to prevent the animal from escaping into nearby residential or industrial areas.

Officials stated that locating the leopard inside the vast manufacturing unit proved extremely challenging due to the size and complex layout of the facility. As a precautionary measure, operations at the plant were halted for two days to ensure the safety of workers and staff members.

The leopard was eventually captured safely after entering one of the baited cages late on May 11. Forest officials confirmed that no injuries to employees or rescue personnel were reported during the operation. The rescued animal was later shifted to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre for medical examination and observation.

Wildlife experts say leopard sightings in Pune’s rapidly expanding industrial corridors have increased in recent years because of habitat fragmentation, urban expansion and the availability of prey such as stray animals near industrial zones. Authorities have urged residents and workers in the Chakan area to remain vigilant and immediately report wildlife sightings to the forest department.

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