Two leopards die of suspected poisoning

Two leopards, including a rare black panther, have died after eating a poisoned dog at a farm belonging to Shiva Nanjappa at Hanchipura village in the taluk under Omkar Forest area on Tuesday.

The villagers, who found two leopards battling for life on the outskirts of the village, on Tuesday morning, alerted the Forest department. By the time the Forest personnel arrived on the spot, the male black panther had died. The other, female, leopard died en route the Forest department office for treatment.

The Forest personnel suspect that the leopards might have been poisoned by the miscreants. Later, they summoned a sniffer dog squad to the spot. Rana, the sniffer dog, traced an empty poison bottle that was lying near the spot. The dog also went in search of the dead dog and entered the house of Kumar, a tailor.

The villagers, who were following the dog, objected to its action and did not allow the personnel to perform their duty. They alleged that the department personnel, who rushed to the spot when they find a wild animal dead, fail to come to their rescue when their livestock was killed.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, RFO Naveen Kumar said, “During his visit to the village last Sunday, the residents had complained of spotting leopards near Kothanahalli and had urged to place a cage. Responding to their complaints, a cage was set up on the same day.”

As the village is on the fringes of the forest, the Forest personnel are on patrol regularly. Despite this, the incident has occurred. Veterinarian Dr Nagaraj conducted post-mortem on the carcass of both leopards. The food consumed by the leopards, liver, kidneys and viscera have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory. Conservator of Forests, Bandipur division, P Hiralal, ACF Poovaiah and RFO Naveen Kumar were present.