Leopard Found Dead in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Raises Concerns

Discovery of a Leopard's Body

In the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary located in Bahraich district, the body of a two-year-old female leopard was discovered. Officials reported this finding on Sunday.

According to forest department officials, villagers spotted the leopard's carcass approximately 200 meters from the village of Azamgarhpurwa in Nishangadha on Saturday and promptly alerted the authorities.

Investigation Underway

Forest Range Officer S.K. Srivastava, along with Forest Guard Manish Kumar and other officials, arrived at the scene to conduct a thorough investigation. All body parts of the leopard were intact, leading officials to rule out poaching as a cause of death.

Signs of Conflict Detected

Officials noted that paw prints of a large wild animal were found near the site, suggesting a possible conflict. The department and relevant organizations are currently investigating the incident, and a post-mortem examination of the deceased leopard has been conducted.

Cause of Death Identified

Veterinary Officer Dr. Deepak Verma stated, "The leopard died due to severe head injuries and wounds from teeth and claws. These injuries likely occurred during a confrontation with a larger leopard. The viscera has been preserved and will be sent to IVRI Bareilly for further analysis."

Rising Incidents of Wildlife Deaths

Since the beginning of this year, five leopards, one tiger, and one elephant have been found dead in various areas of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division. The death of this leopard marks the sixth incident reported on Saturday.

Earlier in 2024, four leopards and one tiger were also found dead in the same region. It is estimated that around 100 leopards and 70-80 tigers currently inhabit the forests of Katarniaghat, which spans approximately 550 square kilometers.