This is the terrifying moment picnickers were attacked by a leopard after they cajoled it out of a wooded area.
Three were injured as they sat in the South Forest Division Range in India‘s north-central Madhya Pradesh region on October 20.
Video footage shows a group of people luring the apex predator from its secluded wooded spot, laughing and saying: ‘Come come.’
The big cat was seen confidently watching the men from some bushes for a few seconds.
But the group’s laughter turned to screams of horror, as it sprinted at the group of 50-60 people.
Video footage shows a group of people luring the apex predator from its secluded wooded spot, laughing and saying: ‘Come come’
The group’s laughter turned to screams of horror, as it sprinted at the group of 50-60 people
Several members of the group can be heard screaming at the stragglers: ‘Run! Run!’
One unfortunate man was caught by the big cat, which pounced and grabbed him before dragging him to the ground.
It was then seen sprinting towards another target, before the footage, captured on a phone, cut off.
The leopard’s victims were taken to a nearby hospital. Two of them had severe head injuries.
According to a park official, another incident of a tiger attack had taken place in the area a few days back, following which they had advised people to not venture into the forests.
The big cat was seen confidently watching the men from some bushes for a few seconds
The leopard’s victims were taken to a nearby hospital. Two of them had severe head injuries
One unfortunate man was caught by the big cat, which pounced and grabbed him before dragging him to the ground
‘Advisory has been issued. We have asked officials to alert villagers and other people not to go into the forests. A control room has also been set up to help people in such incidents,’ Badshah Rawat said.
Leopards are notorious in India for killing people.
They are fearsome creatures that can run at more than 37mph, leap more than 20ft horizontally and 10ft vertically and have a keen sense of smell that is stronger than other big cats.
Between 1875–1912, nearly 12,000 people across India were reported to be killed by leopards, though the actual number is likely higher.