Forest department officials were injured after they tried to capture a leopard hidden in hay.

One of the officials poked the big cat with a stick - prompting it to jump out and attack the men.

They tried to subdue it with a bedframe - but the leopard retaliated, snapping at the man in Bhilwara district, in northern India's Rajasthan on March 13.

A local source said: "The men ganged up on the wild animal and tried to cover it with a cloth but it was too strong and ferocious to be contained so easily. "

"After attacking the forest department official, it fled away from the spot. "

"Locals also were seemingly scared with the big cat roaming about freely as it was chased by a dog."

"Despite their attempts, they were unable to succeed, and the leopard injured the forest official, Mulchand Sharma, while they were trying to rescue him. "

"Following this, a local, along with two others used sticks, nets and bedsteads to capture the leopard. "

"Even this attempt was unsuccessful as the leopard ran into the forest."