Leopard hit by vehicle near Byadgi, dies

A female leopard died after it was hit by a vehicle on National Highway-4 near Motebennur in the taluk in the wee hours of Sunday.

The incident occurred when it had strayed out in search of food and was crossing the highway. The big cat suffered severe injuries in the accident and died on the spot, P K Jadhav, incharge district conservator of forests, said.

The autopsy of the animal, weighing varound 40 kg, was performed on the premises of the office of the range forest officer.

Assistant conservator of forests Shivanand Todkar and range conservator of forests Pradeep Pawar visited the spot of the accident.