India, May 20 -- A female panther was beaten to death by villagers and partially burnt in Sitapura village on Tuesday evening after an irate crowd attacked the animal while forest officials and police were attempting a rescue operation, officials said.

The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Weir Police Station in Bharatpur after the panther reportedly entered a house, prompting villagers to alert the forest department.

Following the information, rescue teams from the forest department and police reached the spot to safely capture and remove the animal.

Chetan Kumar, deputy conservator of forest, Keoladeo National Park, said the rescue team was trying to secure the panther inside the house while police personnel repeatedly ur...