A shocking video of a leopard being captured and manhandled by locals in Karnataka's Chikkaballapur is doing the rounds on social media. The incident reportedly happened on Tuesday, and in the clip, the big cat is shown trapped in a net while locals pinch, slap, and punch it while shouting and even laughing.
Shared by journalist and X user Bosky Khanna, the post called for the state forest minister and the forest department to take immediate action.
Wandering leopard captured in Chikkaballapur on Tuesday, man handled by locals. @aranya_kfd, @eshwar_khandre to take note@NewIndianXpress @XpressBengaluru @KannadaPrabha @santwana99 @Cloudnirad @NammaBengaluroo @NammaKarnataka_ @moefcc @ntca_india @byadavbjp pic.twitter.com/1ws5KV5HsK— Bosky Khanna (@BoskyKhanna) July 1, 2025
The video appeared to horrify X users, with some calling it an "inhumane" act and slamming the locals for their "atrocious behaviour".
"I would rather save that leopard than these retards," Prajwal (@Prajwal68252868) commented. " Another X user Vandana (@Vandana61637949) said, "That they caught him for safety purposes is one thing, but to pose with him by pulling his ears and face back and slapping him again and again, especially when he’s already secured, makes no sense and is downright cruel. Man truly is the worst and most dangerous animal on earth."
"Can't even watch this, how can they have such an inhumane heart," wrote Ganesh Pai (@Paiganesh905Pai). "More atrocious behaviour by uneducated people," added Tiger Awareness (@tigerawareness).
Another instance where a Karnataka man had to get handsy to capture a leopard happened in January. The 43-year-old, identified only as Anand, grabbed the tail of a leopard and helped capture it in Tiptur taluk of Tumakuru district. A video of the incident went viral on social media.
Indeed, a filmy capture of a leopard in Karnataka. pic.twitter.com/0tKtRqKlFF— Ajay Kumar (@ajay_kumar31) January 7, 2025
According to reports, the leopard had been roaming free in the village for a couple of days, sparking fear among villagers. Despite multiple efforts, he could not be caught. The leopard even evaded a trap set by the villagers. Forest officials reportedly have released the leopard back into its natural habitat.
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