BENGALURU/HASSAN: Leopard-human conflicts have become a common occurrence in several parts of the state, leading to concern and panic in equal measure.

On Friday, a Hassan youth who found a dehydrated leopard, strapped the animal with ropes to his two-wheeler to rush it to a veterinary hospital.

Venugopoal aka Muttu, 25, in Bagivalu village of Arsikere taluk in Hassan distict spotted the leopard lying in the corner of a farm.

He observed the animal for a while.

When he realised that it was too exhausted to even move, he approached it.

He then picked up the animal, tied it to his bike and drove towards the village.

Villagers who saw the strange sight immediately alerted forest officials who tracked down Venugopal en route.

They then rushed the animal to the government veterinary hospital in their vehicle.

Hassan DCF Ashish Reddy said that the leopard was dehydrated and too tired to move.

"It is around nine-months old and must have strayed into the village in search of food," he added.The leopard is stable, said a forest official.

Reddy clarified that there was no criminal intent behind the youngster's act.

"Our staffers have counselled him on what needs to be done on spotting wild animals in the neighbourhood," he added.