This is the terrifying moment a leopard was seen stalking through a hospital in India.

CCTV footage shows the big cat barging into the basement of the building, jumping over benches and empty beds in Chomu, Rajasthan, on September 6.

The incident occurred around 2 am at Rajasthan Nursing Hospital on Jaipur Road, alarming patients and staff.

By around 5am, hospital staff and patient relatives reportedly stumbled upon the wild animal in the basement. A team from the Jaipur Forest Department arrived at the scene at 9am to initiate the leopard's rescue.

Using firecrackers to track the animal's movements, the team focused on the hospital's densely overgrown back plot, suspected to be the leopard's hiding place. The Chomu Police also assisted the rescue crew on site.

Wildlife workers were concerned by the location of the hospital, surrounded by schools and other medical facilities.

Authorities have installed CCTV cameras at four locations to monitor the situation closely and are using JCB machinery to clear thorny vegetation behind the building to aid in rescue efforts.

With the leopard still at large, the community remains on edge, fearing potential attacks.

The leopard population in India has grown from 12,852 in 2018, to 13,874 in 2022, according to the 'Status of Leopards in India 2022' report, released by the Union Environment Ministry on February 29.

The development of homes in and around forests has led to an increase in conflicts with humans.