Residents of a housing society in Marol spotted a leopard in their complex on Monday. A team of forest officials from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park arrived at 11.30 a.m. to secure the area and trap the big cat.

All the residents of the eight-storey Woodland Crest building were asked to stay inside their homes with the doors closed. “The leopard was spotted at around 9.30 a.m.,” said Sandra Cardoza who lives on the first floor of Eco-Palms, the adjoining building.

Leopard spotted in Woodland Crest building in Marol   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Pramod Sambatwad, a resident on the fifth floor of the Woodland Crest building, said that he spotted the leopard around 10 a.m and raised an alarm. “I was on my way out when I saw the leopard under my car. After I sighted him I rushed back home,” he said.

Dr. Jitendra Ramagaonkar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, said, “Our primary responsibility is the safety of the residents and the animal as well. The animal might be anywhere but it is suspected to be near staircases. His location is not confirmed.”

The rescue operation is still underway. “The operation may take at least two hours,” Dr. Ramagaonkar said.