The carcass of a two-and-half year old leopard was retrieved today from a well in Iyyankolli in Gudalur taluk, some 70 kilometres from Ooty.

Officials of the forest department said that the villagers heard some noises from the well late last night, but were afraid to come out fearing for lives.

On information, forest officials, along with the veterinarian, Dr. Prabhu, rushed to the spot early in the morning today and retrieved the carcass of the female leopard from the well.

It is suspected that the animal might have fallen in the well, while chasing a prey and could not come out, leading to its drowning.