Efforts are on to trap the animal hiding in the engine unit

High drama unfolded at Maruti’s Manesar Plant here on Thursday after a leopard strayed into its premises in the early hours. Efforts to trap the animal were going on till late in the night.

Conservator of Forests, South Circle, Vinod Kumar, told The Hindu that the feline was spotted in the Engine Unit of the plant in the afternoon. “The area was cordoned off. The rest of the plant was cleared for resumption of production. Two cages with goats have been placed inside, but they are designed in such a way that the leopard cannot reach the animals,” said Mr. Kumar. The movement of the feline was being monitored through closed-circuit television cameras.

The company’s production unit had several hiding points, such as raised platforms and a plethora of machines. Mr. Kumar said the animal could have entered the premises by scaling the rear wall adjoining the Aravalli hills.

A view of the Maruti Suzuki plant in Manesar. File | Photo Credit: Manoj Kumar

The leopard was first spotted by a security guard around 3:30 a.m. He made a dash for the room as the feline roared at him. He then made a call to the company’s Control Room. Amid the commotion, the animal walked towards the Tool Room and disappeared inside the plant.

Around 350 workers were evacuated almost two hours before their scheduled time and the police were informed. Forest officials reached the plant around 6 a.m.