A six-year-old male leopard was enjoying his stroll through Thane early on Wednesday morning, oblivious of the fact that it wasn't his territory. But, reality struck him when he got stuck in the basement of a hotel and was in dire need of help. That is when the Thane Forest Department (Territorial) Leopard Rescue Team swung into action and rescued him safely after a three-hour-long operation.

According to sources, the security in-charge of Satkar Residency Hotel spotted the big cat entering the basement around 6.30 am and informed the forest department immediately. The rescue operation that started around 8 am went on till 12.15 pm. However, due to the alertness of the forest department, police and representatives of NGOs, the animal could be rescued from the basement safely. Even wildlife enthusiast Nitesh Pancholi and Honorary Wildlife Warden of Thane Pawan Sharma from NGO RAWW helped in the operation.