A leopard was rescued after getting trapped in a steel-jaw trap set up by poachers in an Indian village.

Locals in Jeur Haibati village found the feline with its left forelimb caught in the lethal hunting device and alerted forest officials on March 7.

Wildlife SOS rescue team rushed to the location with safety nets, restraining equipment and a trap cage in hand.

Senior veterinarian Dr. Ajay Deshmukh carefully immobilized the big cat, using a sedative injection from a safe distance.

Once the team had administered the drug, they carefully removed the steel-jaw trap from the entrapped forelimb.

The rescue mission lasted several hours after which the leopard was carefully transported to a Forest Department base for observation prior to release.

Dr. Ajay Deshmukh said: ''Any further delay would have caused severe damage to the forelimb. We disinfected the wound and have administered topical treatment along with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication. Fortunately, the injury is superficial, and no internal injuries have been detected.''.

In a horrifying incident, a three-year old male leopard was found trapped in a deadly jaw trap set up by poachers in Jeur Haibati village, located in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.

Local villagers saw the feline’s left forelimb caught in the lethal hunting device on march 7 and called the Forest Department officials, who in turn called a Wildlife SOS rescue team.

Recognizing the extremity of the situation, a four-member team from the NGO
rushed to the location with safety nets, restraining equipment and a trap cage in hand.

The leopard’s left forelimb was caught in the steel jaw trap. In its attempt to break free of the painful leg-hold, the leopard started running amok in the neighboring agricultural field.

Wildlife SOS senior veterinarian Dr. Ajay Deshmukh carefully immobilized the big cat,
using a sedative injection from a safe distance.

Once the team had administered the drug, they carefully removed the lethal jaw trap from the entrapped forelimb.

The rescue mission lasted several hours after which the leopard was carefully transported to a Forest Department base for observation prior to release. The leopard has been identified as a male, approx. 3 years old.

Dr. Ajay Deshmukh, Senior Veterinarian at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre said, “Any further delay would have caused severe damage to the forelimb. We disinfected the wound and have administered topical treatment along with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication. Fortunately, the injury is superficial, and no internal injuries has been detected.”