A leopard cub was rescued after it had fallen into a 90-foot-deep well in Nashik, Maharashtra.

Officials from the local forest department spent three hours trying to coax the animal into a cage lowered down into the pit.

It is believed the leopard had fallen into the well after slipping through the wire mesh at the top.

Fortunately, water in the well came up to around 50 feet, breaking the animal's fall.

The cub was later transported to the Wildlife Treatment Center in Mhasrul for further medical care and observation.

After a grueling three-hour operation, forest officials successfully rescued a leopard cub trapped in a roughly 90-foot-deep well, which held about 50 feet of water, showcasing their skill and determination in handling a challenging wildlife rescue mission.

The incident took place at Palse Sugar Factory, located near the Darna River in the Nanegaon area, in Nashik district, in Northern India's Maharashtra, on September 8.

Visuals show that the well, encircled by a stone barrier, is believed to have trapped the cub when it slipped through an opening in the mesh covering. Rescuers removed portions of the mesh and carefully lowered a cage into the well using ropes. By approximately 11:30 pm, the cub had calmly entered the cage, which was then safely lifted out along with the animal, completing the rescue successfully.

Speaking to Newslions, Sumit, RFO Range Forest Officer, Nashik Range, Maharashtra, stated that the Wildlife Rescue Team from Nashik Forest Division, in coordination with Rescue Nashik Division and equipped with all necessary tools, arrived at the site at 8:30 pm. Despite challenging terrain and intricate structures surrounding the well, the team successfully carried out the rescue. The cub was later transported to the Wildlife Treatment Center in Mhasrul for further medical care and observation.

The mission was conducted under the supervision of Shri Siddhesh Sawardekar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Western Nashik, and Shri Prashant Khairnar, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Regional Nashik, with Shri Sumit Nirmal, Forest Range Officer, Nashik, leading the operation. The Wildlife Rescue Team, including forest guards Anil Ahirrao, Kushal Pawra, Pravin Ratnaparkh, foresters Vijay Patil, Sharad Thorat, Pravin Golait, Sanket Gaikwad, Pandurang Bhangre; forest laborers Pandu Bhoye, Vishal Shelke; and drivers Ashok Khanjhode, Sharad Aswale, along with Rescue Nashik Division members Abhijeet Mahale, Dr. Hemraj Sukhwal, and the full team, executed the operation effectively and safely.