A runaway leopard that fell 50-ft into a farm well while chasing its prey was rescued after a marathon operation in west Indian state of Maharashtra.

The incident happened on Thursday night when the feline fell into the well while chasing a dog near Khapa in Nagpur district.

When the day broke, farm owner Mandhabai Ramdas Waghmare came to work in fields. She was alarmed by an indistinct sound of purring emanating from inside the well. When she rushed to the well and looked inside Waghmare spotted a leopard that was struggling to keep itself afloat in the water.

The local residents immediately alerted the forest officials, who swiftly sent a rescue team to the spot. The terrified creature had been clinging on to dear life for around 12 hours before being pulled out to safety on February 8. The operation last for at least four-hours.

With the help of people from the village, the rescuers lowered a makeshift platform with a cot, for the terrified animal to climb on. When the leopard got on the cot, they lowered a trapping cage into it.

After several attempts, the beast walked inside the cage. After analysing its condition, the leopard was transported to core area of the forest and released it into the Pune reserve forest.