Leopard escapes during rescue in Karnataka: Angry mob assaults veterinary officer

A leopard managed to escape during a rescue operation in a village in Karnataka's Tumakuru on Thursday, after a group of residents allegedly obstructed the rescue team and assaulted a senior government veterinary officer. Dr Prayag H S, a veterinary officer, informed Range Forest Officer Basavaraju around 7.41 am that a leopard had been spotted on a coconut tree in a farmer's garden.

Despite warnings from officials, a group of 10 to 15 villagers allegedly blocked the rescue vehicle and pushed and assaulted the officials. The leopard climbed down the tree and escaped while the rescue operation was underway. The Hebbur police registered a case against the unidentified individuals following Dr Prayag's complaint.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.