Leopard rescued from residential area near Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep. 30 (ANI): Rangers of Borivali National Park near Mumbai rescued a leopard that had entered a residential area of Kandivili on Wednesday.

The leopard reportedly entered the residential area during the early morning, and it reportedly mauled a local before being tranquillised and captured by the wildlife officials.

"It came into this area after crossing the wall...the wildlife officials came and captured the leopard after tranquillising it. Only one man sustained minor injuries when the leopard mauled him with its claws," said A Pawaskar, Inspector, Kandivili East Police Station.

In recent months, Maharashtra has witnessed a number of incidents of wild animals straying into urban areas, mainly owing to loss of habitat and extension of human settlements into forest areas.

According to wildlife sources, the leopard must have jumped over the wall since Borivali National Park is well protected.

India had about 7,300 leopards in the wild according to a 1997 census. (ANI)