Leopard rescued from a village in Uttar Pradesh

Bijnore (UP), Nov 7 (ANI): Wildlife authorities rescued a leopard, which fell into a well, with the help of villagers in Bijnore district of Uttar Pradesh son Friday.

Locals of Kallu Wala village spotted the leopard in the well and informed the wildlife authorities.

"The leopard fell into a well because of its closeness to the forest area. With the help of locals we are able to safely rescue it. We tried to get the animal out by using a cage, but after failing, we had to tranquilize it and then rescue the leopard," said P P S Malik, sub-divisional officer, wild life department of Bijnore.

With tiger populations dwindling in recent years as a result of poaching, wildlife officials say hunters have increasingly set their sights on leopards, killing them for their skins as well as bones.

The depletion of their habitat has also threatened the leopards, forcing them to stray into human settlements-attacking people and cattle-and often getting killed in return. (ANI)