Mumbai's national park gets its leopards back

A number of leopards previously incarcerated after attacks on humans in Mumbai will be released back into the capital's national park, according to reports.

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park will welcome back the 17 leopards that were blamed for the deaths of 22 people.

Officials have noted that the animals will be released in batches of two and that they hope the relationship between the big cats and humans will become better.

Leopards are an endangered species in India and campaign groups believe that the dramatic urbanisation of Mumbai is responsible for putting extra pressure on the jungle area.

Mumbai's national park sits right in the middle of the densely populated city and there have been reports of the leopards leaving the jungle and entering the urban environment.

A forest official told the BBC that more deer were needed to feed the leopards and prevent attacks on the human population.