A rescue operation on a busy Karnataka highway has taken a tense turn after a leopard, already injured from a road accident, lashed out and attacked a Forest Department official who had come to its aid.
The wild cat had reportedly been struck by a vehicle along the highway in Davangere, leaving it injured and stranded by the roadside as concerned motorists and passersby gathered to watch from a cautious distance.
Forest officials were quickly alerted and dispatched to the scene to manage the situation before it could escalate further.
Upon arrival, the team administered a tranquilliser to sedate the animal safely for transport. However, in the window before the drug fully took effect, the leopard, likely disoriented by pain and the commotion around it, turned on one of the officials attempting to secure it, catching the team off guard during what should have been a routine part of the rescue.
Video footage from the scene shows the tense moments as officials scrambled to maintain control of the situation while keeping bystanders at a safe distance.
Despite the unexpected attack, the team managed to complete the rescue, successfully restraining the leopard once the sedative took full effect.
The injured animal has since been transported to a facility for veterinary treatment, with officials confirming it sustained injuries from the initial road accident.
The condition of the attacked official has not yet been publicly disclosed, though authorities are expected to release further updates on both the leopard’s recovery and the incident itself.
Watch the video HERE.
