BERHAMPUR: A 31-year-old man who was arrested for possession of a leopard skin turned out to be the killer of the big cat which he had poisoned last year to avenge the killing of his cow in a village of Kandhamal district.
Forest officials detained Pankaj Kanwar at Kalaradadi near Bramanapada on Saturday afternoon. He was found in possession of a leopard skin at the time of his apprehension. Kanwar belongs to Ringibadi village under Chakapada police limits.
Tikabali forest ranger Rashi Ranjan Swain said, the accused confessed to poisoning the leopard. Further investigation revealed that after killing the animal, he along with a relative, skinned the carcass and disposed of the remains by burying them in Brutanga reserve forest.
Forest officials said the leopard had entered Kanwar’s cowshed on May 15 and killed one of his cattle. In retaliation, Kanwar allegedly placed poisoned meat inside his cowshed to lure the wild animal. The leopard later returned, took the bait and died a short distance away from the spot.
After skinning the carcass, Kanwar allegedly hung it on iron nails to dry. Recently, the relative who had accompanied Kanwar to kill the leopard died due to some disease.
Forest officials have urged villagers to report such incidents promptly instead of resorting to illegal actions.