A leopard in attempt to hunt chickens under the cover of darkness slipped and fell into a well in western India’s Maharashtra.

The incident took place in Deulgaon locality of Gadchiroli district and the video went viral on June 17.

Visuals showed after falling into a well, a leopard hung precariously on the branches of a tree that had grown over the well’s edge, serving as its lifeline to prevent drowning in the water below.

The drama unfolded late at night when the hungry leopard stealthily approached the village in search of prey. Eyeing a group of chickens, the predator pounced, only to miss its target and plunge into the nearby well instead. Struggling to stay afloat, the leopard desperately clung to any available support to prevent drowning.

News of the trapped leopard quickly spread throughout Deulgaon, prompting villagers to notify local authorities. Responding swiftly, teams from the forest department arrived at the scene to orchestrate a delicate rescue mission. After hours of strenuous efforts, they successfully hoisted the leopard out of the well, much to the relief of onlookers.

Officials speculated that the leopard, known to frequent the area for easy prey, had become overconfident in its pursuit of chickens, leading to the unforeseen mishap. Following its rescue, the bewildered animal was carefully monitored before being released back into the wild, ensuring both its safety and that of the villagers.