The sudden appearance of a leopard in the kitchen of an estate worker's house triggered panic in Valparai in the district today.
Police said a woman was preparing food in her kitchen in the house in Cincona Tea Estate and to her surprise, a leopard entered from behind.
On hearing her screaming, the neighbours rushed there and managed to drive the animal away, they said.
The villagers later informed the incident to the Forest Department officials, police said.