Leopard cubs spotted in jowar field

The cubs were found in the farm of Mallesh, when the labourers began reaping jowar.

Initially, they were mistaken for litter. On close examination, they discovered that they were leopard cubs and tried to feed them milk. A leopard had been spotted a few days ago on the outskirts of the village. The villagers assumed that the cubs may belong to it. The cubs were later handed over to the Forest officials who shifted them to the Adumalleshwara Zoo.

Cub dies in Shimoga

The death of a recently-born leopard cub at the Tyavarekoppa lion safari has come to light after a delay of one month. Leopard Amitha had given birth to two female cubs and a male cub.

Of them, the unique black cub died, supervisors of the safari told Deccan Herald.

Wildlife trade racket busted

A gang of four men involved in killing animals and transporting their body parts for sale, was arrested during a joint operation by the personnel of the Tirthahalli and Koppa forest zones in Shimoga on Friday night.

Suresh, Mahesh, Nagappagowda and Venkatesh of Salur, are the arrested. The tusk of an elephant calf, finger nails of 18 leopards, horns of two bisons and an SDML revolver were recovered from the accused, said Range Forest Officer Shivamurthy.

The accused were remanded in judicial custody. Another member of the gang Jayant is absconding, police said.