Moodbidri: A rescue operation was carried out by the forest department officials in the early hours of Monday to save a leopard that had fallen into a well at Kempagudde in Moodumarnad near Moodbidri.

The leopard that is assumed to have been around four years old accidentally fell into a well when it came into the city in search of its prey dog. Raghu Poojary, the owner of the well, along with his family members started searching around the house using torch lights when they heard loud noises in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Once they discovered the leopard struggling to come out of the well, they immediately informed the forest department officials in Moodbidri, following which the rescue operation was carried out. Officials including Prashanth, Jayaprakash, Pramod and Nagaraj who were present during the rescue overlooked the entire operation.

The modus operandi was to tie a net around the well and place a ladder to facilitate the leopard to come out. The leopard, after three unsuccessful attempts, succeeded in climbing out and immediately entered a nearby forest.

 A large crowd, including students had gathered around the area to get a glimpse of the rare visitor.