Kannur: The leopard that was rescued from a well at Peringathur here on Wednesday died hours after it was lifted out.
The big cat, which was tranquilised during the hours-long rescue mission, was found physically weak. Forest officials then moved the animal to Kannavam, Manorama News reported.
The plan was to inspect the animal at the Kannavam Forest Range Office and then shift it to Wayanad. But the animal was so weak that the veterinarian could not detect a pulse. Soon it was declared dead. Though there was no external wound, internal bleeding might have caused the death, DFO told Onmanorama. However, the exact reason for the death can only be ascertained after a postmortem on Thursday, he added.
Earlier, the rescuers first drained the well using a motor before lifting the animal onto the net. A team from Wayanad reached the spot around 4 pm for the rescue mission. The leopard was found in the well in Mallil Suneesh's property.
