A 7-year-old injured male leopard, who was stuck in a slush-filled pond from the last 15 hours drowned in it, forest department officials said.

The leopard had been spotted limping around Chinnavandisolai village, some 20 km from Ooty, since June 11 by the people.

The feline was caught in a noose meant to trap wild boars at an estate and had injured one of its legs while freeing itself.

The leopard was later found trapped in the pond in a village on the suburbs of Coonoor where it had gone to drink water, following which villagers informed the forest department officials around 5.30 PM on Sunday.

Police said the officials placed a cage near the pond and planned to tranquilise it when it would come out.

However, forest officials or veterinarians could not be present at the spot as a team had been deputed to the outskirts of Coimbatore to capture a rogue elephant, which had been creating panic among the people for the last one year, police said.

Another team of officials rushed to the spot on Monday morning and found the leopard dead, they said.

Villagers alleged that the negligence of the department in attending to the injured leopard on time had led to its death.