THIS is the horror moment a ferocious leopard tackles a man to the ground on a busy motorway.
Shocking footage shows the animal launch its claws into the man before slamming him to the concrete in a wild scene of panic.
The leopard attacked the man in Anagodu in southwest India Credit: Marija Stojkoska/Harrisons
The big cat tackled the wildlife worker to the ground Credit: Marija Stojkoska/Harrisons
Brandishing large sticks, bystanders frantically distracted the cat giving the man a precious moment to escape its razor-sharp claws.
The savage attack took place near Anagodu in southwest India after the leopard was struck by a vehicle around 11pm.
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The collision left the big cat injured and stranded in a roadside drain, where members of the public spotted it and alerted the Forest Department.
A rescue team was dispatched to the scene where they attempted to capture the leopard and take it for medical treatment.
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Bystanders hit the animal with sticks to help the man escape Credit: Marija Stojkoska/Harrisons
The cat pounced at the crowd after being given a sedative Credit: Marija Stojkoska/Harrisons
The wildlife rescue squad dosed-up the big cat with a heavy sedative but before the drug could take full effect the animal suddenly lunged at one of the officials.
Tense footage shows the leopard charging towards the official and knocking him to the ground as his colleagues immediately move in to intervene.
After it releases the man and the drugs begin to kick in, the animal dizzily retreats to the roadside ditch where it eventually collapses.
The Forest Department eventually secured the knocked-out animal and placed it in a net to be taken to a hospital for treatment.
The cat was hit by a car before the attack Credit: Marija Stojkoska/Harrisons
When the drugs kicked in the leopard slumped to the roadside Credit: Marija Stojkoska/Harrisons
The official was transported to hospital for treatment following the ordeal.
It comes as a man was mauled by a lioness in a terrifying attack which left him fighting for his life in Gujarat in July.
Shocking footage shows the cattle herder covered in blood as he tries to free himself from the big cat’s powerful grip.
The lioness repeatedly bore her huge teeth at the herdsman as he remained pinned beneath her front legs.
Bystanders threw stones and shouted in a bid to scare the huge feline away, but to no avail.
Eventually, the lioness eventually retreated towards the nearby forest of her own accord.
In another attack in July a brazen leopard barged into a booze shop and attacked a terrified worker in Todaraisingh, northern India.
Dramatic footage shows the moment the leopard leaps into the shop and pounces on the shopkeeper.
The worker cried out in terror as he was struck by the spotted cat.
Eventually he was able to push the animal away and bolt to safety.
