Stray leopard stalks Delhi factory

The animal was tranquilised and caught

A leopard has struck fear in the heart of a residential suburb of Delhi, injuring a number of people before it was captured.

The cat, described as a full-grown male, was spotted at a plywood factory in the south of the Indian capital on Thursday afternoon.

A number of factory workers tried to catch him but were injured in the attempt, police said.

Dozens of police officers surrounded the factory, some trying to catch the animal in nets used for cricket practice.

One wildlife doctor was wounded by a stray bullet from a police officer who tried to shoot the leopard.

Threatened habitat

The animal was eventually shot with a tranquiliser gun and subdued.

The incident brought hundreds of people out of their homes. Onlookers cheered when the cat was caught.

It is believed he crossed over from a forest area in the adjoining state of Haryana.

Wild leopards live in several forested areas across India, but their habitat is increasingly under threat.

There are an estimated 7,500 leopards in India.

The captured animal is expected to be taken to a zoo.