MUMBAI: The highly decomposed body of a two-year-old male leopard was found in Yeoor Hills in mid-November last year, three weeks before another leopard was found dead along the Shilonda trail in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
In case of the dead leopard found in Yeoor Hills, forest authorities have ruled out poaching. "No part of the body was taken so poaching is ruled out. It is likely that the leopard died of natural causes, possibly even starvation," said Vikas Gupta, chief conservator of forests, SGNP.
The second leopard, which was around five years old, had injury marks on its right flank and its internal organs were punctured. It also showed internal bleeding. The forest department has sent its tissues for forensic investigations and the results are awaited.
In the second incident, Gupta said the role of poachers is yet to be established but given the nature of injury it has not been ruled out.
On December 25, the forest department arrested seven people mostly tribals in the Tungareshwar wildlife sanctuary. In all there were 20 people trying to hunt wild animals and four of them were carrying rifles. They were caught close to a watering hole. "We had information that some people would come to Chondi, a natural watering hole for animals, for a hunt. We formed a team of ten and lay in wait. We had not expected them to come in such large numbers. While four were waiting with rifles, the rest were busy trying to bring the animals to the watering hole. We managed to get hold of seven, the remaining 13 managed to escape," said UdayDhage, assistant conservator of forests.
Many those present at the site are residents of Rajawli village and WagharPada, both close to the watering hole.
As forest officials pursued the intruders they recovered rifles from some houses.
The seven men have been arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Indian Forest Act. They are also being investigated for their likely involvement in the death of the leopard on the Shilonda trail. Currently, they are lodged in the Thane jail, said an official.
SGNP is spread over 103 sq km and as per the official census is home to 35 leopards in the wild, one of the highest densities of wild cats anywhere in the world. There are another 27 old, injured leopards in the rescue home at the park. With the two deaths, the count of leopards is now down to 33.
