BENGALURU: The Forest Department is probing the death of a young leopard, found dead at Kiravali village of Khanapur taluk in Londa Forest Range on Sunday.
Officials said the animal aged 5-6 years, may have died due to ill health and they are investigating how the lower portions of its legs were cut off. Preliminary investigation indicated that the lower parts of the leopard’s limbs were severed after its death.
With the latest death, the number of leopards which have died in the state since January has risen to eight. The reasons for the deaths ranged from poaching to electrocution to habitat degradation.
Belagavi DCF Basavaraj Patil said, “We are inquiring into the matter and carrying on combing operations in Khanapur area. There are no bullet wounds on any part of the body or signs of poaching. The skin is completely intact. Usually leopards are poached for their skin and nails and tigers for their claws.”
As many as 28 anti-poaching camps and 11 temporary camps have been established in Khanapur area, the official said. “Digital surveillance is very high in Khanapur area,” said Patil.
According to Wildlife Protection Society of India, 120 leopards died in India since January. There have been 65 incidents of poaching.