Forest officials successfully rescued a cheetah in southern India Andhra Pradesh that had become ensnared in a monkey trap.

The incident took place in Regulapadu, near Ellavaram in Addateegala mandal of Alluri Seetharamaraju district on November 30.

Visuals showed a cheetah found itself entangled in a trap set for monkeys, hanging upside down from a tree. A large crowd had gathered to witness the incident.

A rescue team arrived at the scene, assessing the situation and carefully using a tractor to save the distressed leopard from its precarious predicament.

Forest authorities, led by IFS/DFO GG Narentheran, Sub DFO B.Sreerama Rao, Range Officer Sheikh Shehansha, and SI Appalaraju, reached the site and requested additional assistance from higher-ranking officials for the rescue operation. The Visakhapatnam Zoo's rescue team was contacted, and a cage was transported from Rajamahendravaram.

Having hung from the tree throughout the night, the exhausted leopard was in dire need of rest. Forest authorities took measures by placing a ladder on a tractor, allowing the leopard to rest on it. They provided fresh water to ensure the animal was properly hydrated. The rescue team then administered an anesthetic injection and successfully transferred the leopard into the cage.

Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the leopard succumbed shortly after being placed in the cage. Forest officials conducted a post-mortem examination and performed the cremation on-site.

DFO Narentheran indicated that the leopard's demise was likely due to the exertion during its entanglement in the net, insufficient access to food, or dehydration. He issued a caution to residents, advising vigilance during the night, as there could be more leopards in the vicinity. Narentherin appealed to the public to promptly report any wildlife sightings to forest officials, emphasizing the importance of avoiding harm to the animals.