Leopard rescued from 15-metre-deep well in India

Forest officials rescued a seven-year-old leopard that had fallen into a 15-metre-deep well in the west-central Indian state of Maharashtra on Monday.

According to local media, residents of the Pimpalgaon Rotha village heard panicked roars echoing from deep within the open well at around 9 a.m.

Seeing that the leopard was drowning in the waist-deep water, they alerted officials, who turned to a Wildlife SOS team for help.

READ MORE: Leopard reportedly kills monk in India as he meditated under a tree

While waiting for the team to arrive, officials first lowered a platform into the well so that the terrified leopard could clamber onto the makeshift platform for temporary support.

View image in full screen

“The leopard was in a state of panic and had to be rescued immediately,” said Dr. Ajay Deshmukh, senior veterinarian at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The leopard was in a state of panic and had to be rescued immediately," said Dr. Ajay Deshmukh, senior veterinarian at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre.

Later, the Wildlife SOS team drifted a trap cage in the well with the open door angled towards the leopard.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The animal jumped into the cage and was quickly lifted out of the well.

View image in full screen

According to Deshmukh, the leopard was healthy and fit for release after a thorough physical examination.