Kannur (Keralam) | A leopard that fell into a trap set on an agricultural land for wild boars died after an attempt to rescue the animal at Maloor here on Thursday.

According to Forest officials, the incident took place on the agricultural land of Ramakrishnan in KPR Nagar, Maloor.

The trap was set after wild boars repeatedly raided crops in the area.

However, in the early morning, locals noticed an unusual noise and, upon checking the area, found a leopard caught in the trap.

The Kottiyoor Forest Range Office was soon informed, officials said.

By afternoon, forest officials darted the animal to tranquilise it before freeing it from the trap.

However, the leopard, which had sustained injuries, succumbed upon being shifted to the nearby forest station, they said.

The Forest Department has decided to investigate the illegal trap set for wild animals and to register a case into the incident.

The body of the leopard will be disposed of after postmortem.

Officials said that as the area is close to the forest, wild animals frequently stray into agricultural land.