WATCH: Panic as ‘aggressive’ leopard wanders into town in shock CCTV footage
AN “AGGRESSIVE male" leopard caused panic and surprise when it wandered into an Indian town far from any forest and it took more than five hours to capture it.
The big cat was caught on CCTV prowling around the town of Ulhasnagar in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, and seen in a witness video after being tranquilised.
Local media report that it took five hours to capture the leopard (Panthera pardus) after it was found in an abandoned bungalow.
No injuries were reported though many locals were said to be panicking.
Range Forest Officer Santosh Kank said: "After several rounds of search, we managed to spot and tranquilise the animal.
“He will be transported shortly."
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After several rounds of search, we managed to spot and tranquilise the animal
Vet Dr Sailesh Pethe, who was involved in the capture effort, said the leopard was aged around four to five years and added: "It's a healthy male. It is very aggressive."
Forestry officials said the leopard would be released in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Maharashtra.
Local media said the leopard's presence there was baffling as the town is far from any known leopard population.
Local man Rajesh Dhamija said: "I don't understand how did the leopard manage to come here, in the middle of a bustling town.
“We don't even have forests close-by."
It was noted in local reports that a leopard injured six people in January of this year, also in an area where none were thought to live, Mulund East in Mumbai, also in Maharashtra.