Leopard mauls worker after barging into Indian liquor store

A leopard entered a liquor store in Rajasthan, India, on July 20, injuring three people and causing damage before being captured. The incident began when the leopard was spotted near a market in Toda Raisingh, Tonk district. It first attacked a forest volunteer who approached to assess the situation.

The animal then moved about half a kilometer and entered a liquor store. Inside, it attacked a contract worker and then a salesman, inflicting injuries to the salesman's face, chest, and shoulders. The salesman managed to escape, and he and the contract worker quickly pulled down the store's shutters, trapping the leopard inside.

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Obviously, he wanted a bottle.

Wildlife officers arrived from Jaipur and tranquilized the animal around 2 p.m., ending a five-hour ordeal. The forest volunteer received treatment and was discharged, while the two injured store employees were taken to Jaipur for further care. The leopard was safely rescued and is slated for release into a suitable habitat.

Some observers online found humor in the situation, with one commenting that the leopard "obviously wanted a bottle." However, many expressed relief that no one was seriously harmed. Others pointed to habitat loss as a cause, stating, "This is happening because leopards are losing their habitat. As forests are cleared, they have less space to find shelter and prey, forcing them into increasingly frequent encounters with people."

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This is happening because leopards are losing their habitat. As forests are cleared, they have less space to find shelter and prey, forcing them into increasingly frequent encounters with people.