Leopard found dead near fenced area in Theni range

MADURAI: A leopard was found dead close to a fenced area under the limits of Theni forest range. Leopard is a Schedule-I animal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Recently, a leopard was stuck on a fence in the range and while trying to rescue the wild animal, an Asst Conservator of Forest, was attacked and hospitalised, sources said on Thursday.

However, M Senthil Kumar, Forest Range Officer, when contacted, said it’s not the same leopard, which attacked the ACF, but another one. The leopard was found unconscious along the borders of the reserve forest on Tuesday evening. Since it’s too late, post mortem was done as per procedures by a team of veterinary doctors in the presence of two Assistant Conservators of Forest and NGO personnel the next day. The exact cause of death would be known based on the report. It’s a young male leopard and it’s aged about two or three years, he said.