Carcass of Leopard found in Rupnagar district forests, second incident in one week

RUPNAGAR:  A carcass of a five year old leopard was found in the forest near Nurpurbedi in Rupnagar district which is second such incident in the last one week. The forest department has lodged an FIR and launched an investigation.

Earlier a carcass of a six month old leopard was found in Nikku Nangal near Nangal Township. The death of two leopards is a mystery for the forest department officials. The animal lovers have raised hue and cry and blamed the forest officials for failing to protect the wild animals.

Kulraj Singh District Forest Officer said that all parts of the leopard found yesterday were intact which shows that no professional hunter is involved. He howevers said that during the postmortem of the dead animal it was found that it died due to bullet injury and five bullets are found in the body.

DFO said that several people in the area have been given permits to kill wild boars which destroy their crops. He said that leopards are protected animals. He said that an investigation was started of the people who were given permits. He said that it was a serious matter and a case under wildlife act 1972 has also been registered in Nurpurbedi Police station.

He said that the carcass of leopard has been consigned in Jhajjar Panjoli wild life sanctuary near Anandpur Sahib after completing all formalities.