A hill country leopard was seen trapped inside a house in Mount Vernon estate in Patana near Talawakele was safely captured and taken to Randenigala Veterinary Medical Unit by wildlife conservators from the Haggala wildlife office.

Wildlife officers, led by Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Akalanka Pinidiya had taken more than five hours to capture the beast unhurt.

They said the animal was giving chase to catch a prey might have entered the house at night and lost its way out.

It was a fully-grown one-year old predator around four feet long.

Dimbula police provided protection to the house and the people living in the environs until the leopard was rescued and taken away. (Shantha Chandrasiri and Gamini Ilangatilleka)