Overview
- The leopard was found injured on National Highway 48 near Anagodu after being struck by a vehicle on Tuesday and prompted a Davangere Forest Department rescue response.
- A veterinary doctor began to tranquillise the animal but the sedative had not yet taken full effect when the leopard suddenly lunged and knocked down a forest watcher.
- Colleagues used sticks to distract the animal, helped the watcher to his feet and then secured the leopard for transport to a rescue centre where officials say both the watcher and the animal are stable and under observation.
- A widely shared video of the encounter shows the attack unfolding and officials said a crowd at the scene shouting and filming likely aggravated the injured leopard.
- The incident highlights growing road-wildlife collision risks as infrastructure expands and has renewed calls for driver accountability, wildlife corridors and better training and safety equipment for field rescue teams.