NAVI MUMBAI: A leopard chasing a domestic cat fell into a 50-foot-deep well in the Konkan late Friday evening. The tiny feline managed to run for its life, but the spotted wild cat was left growling fearfully in a mud-filled corner of the well with water up to 10 feet.
Word spread and forest officials descended on Valke village of Ratnagiri early Saturday. A cage was lowered to rescue the female leopard, but despite repeated efforts to get it into the cage, the animal refused to step in. After over four hours, the forest officials decided to throw in a bait to lure the leopard into the cage.
The cage was brought out and a rooster tethered inside. The leopard leaped in and the door slammed shut. Evidently famished after spending a long, cold night in the well, the leopard lunged at its prey and wolfed it down.
The wild cat has not sustained any injury due to the fall in the well, said range forest officer Prakash Sutar. Found to be in the pink of health, it was released into the wild after a medical check-up.
Word spread and forest officials descended on Valke village of Ratnagiri early Saturday. A cage was lowered to rescue the female leopard, but despite repeated efforts to get it into the cage, the animal refused to step in. After over four hours, the forest officials decided to throw in a bait to lure the leopard into the cage.
The cage was brought out and a rooster tethered inside. The leopard leaped in and the door slammed shut. Evidently famished after spending a long, cold night in the well, the leopard lunged at its prey and wolfed it down.
The wild cat has not sustained any injury due to the fall in the well, said range forest officer Prakash Sutar. Found to be in the pink of health, it was released into the wild after a medical check-up.
