A leopard that wandered into a residential locality triggered panic as it prowled through scattered debris. Forest officials and police conducted a tense 3.5-hour rescue using nets, during which one police officer and a forest ranger sustained injuries from the agitated animal.

The incident took place in Nagala Park residential area, in Kolhapur district, in northern India's Maharashtra, on November 11.

Visuals show that a leopard was spotted navigating through a garbage-filled drainage channel littered with bottles and a yellow tarp. Moments later, forest officials and locals launched a rescue using nets in a nearby bushy patch. Chaos erupted when the agitated leopard lunged at personnel amid the gathered crowd.

Speaking to Newslions, Santosh Doke, Police Inspector, Shahupuri Police Station, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, stated that a leopard was found crouching in a narrow alley surrounded by dense plants and barrels in a residential area. A forest officer cautiously approached with a stick, the animal suddenly lunged, forcing him to retreat amid panic and commotion.

There were five policemen present during the attack. One of them was injured, but doctors are expected to release him soon. The rescue operation was carried out jointly by the police and forest officials. They received the information around 12 p.m., and the rescue was completed by 2:30 p.m.

The leopard then took cover beneath a ledge, prompting forest officials to launch an intensive rescue operation using nets. The 3.5-hour effort turned chaotic as the agitated animal charged repeatedly, injuring several personnel in the process. Authorities later confirmed that all injured officers were out of danger, and the leopard was eventually secured safely.